Gharbia Governorate
Gharbia Governorate (Arabic: محافظة الغربية Muḥāfaẓah Al Gharbeya, IPA: [alɣɑɾˈbejjɑ, -jæ]) is one of the governorates of Egypt. It is located in the north of the country, south of Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, and north of Monufia Governorate. Its capital is Tanta, which is 90 km north of Cairo, and 120 km south east of Alexandria. The largest city in Gharbia is El Mahalla El Kubra. The total area of Gharbia governorate is 1,942 km2, making it the tenth largest governorate of Egypt.
Gharbia Governorate | |
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Flag | |
Gharbia Governorate on the map of Egypt | |
Coordinates: 30.867°N 31.028°E | |
Country | |
Seat | Tanta (capital) |
Government | |
• Governor | طارق رحمي http://gate.ahram.org.eg/News/2330599.aspx |
Area | |
• Total | 1,942 km2 (750 sq mi) |
Population (January 2018) | |
• Total | 5,066,000[2] |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
HDI (2017) | 0.707[3] high · 8th |
Municipal divisions
The governorate is divided into municipal divisions, with a total estimated population, as of July 2017, of 5,018,545. In some instances there is a markaz and a kism with the same name.[4][5]
Anglicized name | Native name | Arabic transliteration | Population (July 2017 Est.) | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
El Mahalla El Kubra | مركز المحله الكبرى | Al-Maḥallah al-Kubrā | 795,468 | Markaz |
El Mahalla El Kubra 1 | قسم أول المحلة الكبرى | Al-Maḥallah al-Kubrā 1 | 160,102 | Kism (fully urban) |
El Mahalla El Kubra 2 | قسم ثان المحلة الكبرى | Al-Maḥallah al-Kubrā 2 | 248,149 | Kism (fully urban) |
El Mahalla El Kubra 3 | قسم ثالث المحلة الكبرى | Al-Maḥallah al-Kubrā 3 | 114,548 | Kism (fully urban) |
El Sunta | مركز السنطة | As-Sanṭah | 482,189 | Markaz |
Basyoun | مركز بسيون | Basyūn | 297,379 | Markaz |
Kafr El Zayat | مركز كفر الزيات | Kafr az-Zayyāt | 457,277 | Markaz |
Kotoor | مركز قطور | Quṭūr | 339,538 | Markaz |
Samanoud | مركز سمنود | Samannūd | 399,473 | Markaz |
Tanta | مركز طنطا | Ṭanṭā | 686,575 | Markaz |
Tanta 1 | قسم أول طنطا | Ṭanṭā 1 | 270,603 | Kism (fully urban) |
Tanta 2 | قسم ثان طنطا | Ṭanṭā 2 | 238,151 | Kism (fully urban) |
Zefta | مركز زفتى | Ziftā | 430,542 | Markaz |
Zefta | قسم زفتى | Ziftā | 98,551 | Kism (fully urban) |
History
The name of al-Gharbiyya ("the western one") has been used as a district name in Egypt since shortly after the Arab conquest of Egypt.[6] In the 13th century it comprised 165 villages, while the 15th-century geographer al-Qalqashandi describes it as fertile and prosperous.[6]
El Mahalla El Kubra was the provincial capital until 1836, when it was succeeded by Tanta.[6]
In modern times, it is notable for the cultivation of cotton, and its textile industry.[6]
Population
In 1960, the governorate numbered 1,815,000 inhabitants.[6] According to population estimates, in 2015 the majority of residents in the governorate lived in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 30.0%. Out of an estimated 4,751.865 people residing in the governorate, 3,324,630 people lived in rural areas as opposed to only 1,427,235 in urban areas.[7]
Cities
Projects and programs
In 2016, Switzerland committed to funding a solid waste management program in Gharbia, a project with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment that will conclude in 2021. The National Solid Waste Management Programme (NSWMP) involves the construction of infrastructure for new, as well as the expansion and improvement of existing waste treatment, landfill, and recycling facilities.[8]
Notable people
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool F.C. footballer)[9]
See also
References
- "Al-Gharbiyyah". britannica. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- "Population Estimates By Governorate ( Urban /Rural ) 1/1/2018". www.capmas.gov.eg. Archived from the original on 2018-11-02. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
- "Gharbia Governorates Subdivisions". CityPopulation.de. Archived from the original on 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
- "Markazes of Egypt". statoids.com. Gwillim Law. Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- Herzog, R. (1965). "al-G̲h̲arbiyya". In Lewis, B.; Pellat, Ch. & Schacht, J. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, New Edition, Volume II: C–G. Leiden: E. J. Brill. p. 1010. OCLC 495469475.
- "Population Estimates By Sex & Governorate 1/1/2015" (PDF). CAPMAS. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-10-19. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- "Switzerland funds programme to improve solid waste management in 4 Egyptian governorates". Daily News Egypt. 5 October 2016.
- Al Sherbini, Ramadan (April 26, 2016). "Egypt turns to celebs to fight drugs". Gulf News Egypt. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
External links
- Gharbia Governorate Official website (in Arabic)
- El Watan News of Gharbia Governorate