Kafr El Sheikh Governorate

Kafr El Sheikh Governorate sits in Egypt’s north, along the western branch of the Nile within the Nile Delta. Its capital shares the same name. Originally part of Gharbia Governorate, it became a separate entity in 1949 and was first called Fuadiyah, after King Fuad I. Following the 1952 Revolution and the end of the monarchy, the governorate was renamed in 1955 to Kafr El Sheikh, meaning “the village of the chief.” It leads the nation in growing long-staple cotton for export.

The area now covered by Kafr El Sheikh includes the ancient region of Bashmur, inhabited since antiquity, and holds many archaeological sites—at Tell Metoubes, Fuwwah, Desouk, Tell Qabrit, and other spots around Lake Burullus. The ancient capital of Lower Egypt, Buto, lies at present-day Tell El Faraain (the Hill of the Pharaohs), near Desouk.

Municipal divisions

The governorate is split into municipal divisions. As of January 2023, its total estimated population was 3,695,336. In some cases, a markaz and a kism share the same name.

Population

Population estimates for 2023 show that most residents live in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of just 23.1%. Out of an estimated 3,759,316 people, 2,890,914 were in rural settings and 868,402 in urban ones.

Lake Burullus lies in the north of the governorate. Cities and towns include El Hamool, Baltim, Biyala, Desouk, Fuwwah, Kafr El Sheikh, Metoubes, Qallin, El Reyad, and Sidi Salem.

Industrial zones

According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), several industrial zones operate in Kafr El Sheikh.

Projects and programs

In 2016, Switzerland committed funding to a solid waste management program in the governorate, a project with Egypt’s Ministry of Environment set to conclude in 2021. The National Solid Waste Management Programme (NSWMP) includes building new infrastructure for waste treatment, landfills, and recycling, as well as expanding and improving existing facilities.

Industries here include cotton-processing factories, rice production, and fishing. One of the region’s largest sugar factories is also located in Kafr El Sheikh.

Kafr El Sheikh University has faculties for medicine, commerce, engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, arts, physical education, science, education, special education, dentistry, physical therapy, alsun, and pharmacy.