New Valley Governorate
Egypt's largest and most sparsely populated governorate.
New Valley Governorate, also called El Wadi El Gedid, sits in Egypt’s southwestern corner, deep in the Western Desert—part of the Sahara—bordered by the Nile, northern Sudan, and southeastern Libya. It covers roughly half of Egypt’s land area, making it the country’s largest and least crowded governorate, as well as one of the biggest administrative divisions anywhere in the world. Its capital is Kharga, and its name comes from the New Valley Project, a scheme to bring irrigation to parts of the Western Desert.
For local administration, the governorate is split into one kism (which includes both urban and rural zones) and four marakiz. To spread out authority in Kharga, that city was divided into four sections starting 19 June 2018.
Population estimates for 2015 show most residents lived in rural areas, with only 48.0% in urban settings. Out of about 225,416 people, 117,180 were rural and 108,236 urban. By 2018, the population had risen to 245,000, and the urbanization rate had dropped slightly to 46.7%.
Several cities, towns, and oases dot the governorate. As of 2018, Kharga Oasis and Dakhla Oasis each had more than 15,000 residents. Farafra Oasis and Baris Oasis are also part of New Valley.
The Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones lists industrial zones in the governorate. Farming areas created by the New Valley project, such as Sharq El Owainat, are also present.
During the 2011 Egyptian revolution, violent clashes broke out on 8–9 February. Protesters burned police stations and the National Democratic Party building. Multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries were reported, with claims that police in Kharga Oasis fired live ammunition at demonstrators.
On 19 July 2014, unidentified gunmen ambushed a desert checkpoint on the Farafra Oasis Road. Twenty-two border guards were killed in the attack, one of the largest since President Mohamed Morsi was ousted in July 2013 and the second at that same checkpoint in under three months.
Local industry includes date farming, tourism and safaris, and agricultural activities around the oases.
Quick Facts
- Native Name
- ar · محافظة الوادي الجديد
- Settlement Type
- Governorate
- Seat
- Kharga
- Leader Title
- Governor
- Leader Name
- Mohammed El-Zamalot
- Population Total
- 270854
- Population As Of
- January 2024
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
During the 2011 Egyptian revolution, violent clashes occurred in the governorate on February 8–9, 2011. Protesters set fire to police stations and the National Democratic Party building, with multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries reported amid claims that police opened fire on protesters in Kharga Oasis with live ammunition. On 19 July 2014, unidentified gunmen ambushed a desert checkpoint by the Farafra Oasis Road, killing 22 border guards in one of the biggest attacks since the July 2013 ousting of President Mohamed Morsi.
Reader's Guide
New Valley Governorate holds significance as Egypt's largest administrative division by area, encompassing roughly half the country's territory, yet it remains the most sparsely populated. Its name derives from the New Valley Project, an ambitious irrigation scheme aimed at developing the Western Desert. The governorate's economy relies on date farming, tourism and safaris, and agricultural activities around its oases. Historically, the region witnessed notable violence during the 2011 Egyptian revolution and a deadly ambush in 2014 at Farafra Oasis. Its sparse population and vast desert landscape make it a unique region within Egypt, with the capital Kharga serving as the administrative center. The governorate's municipal structure includes one kism and four marakiz, with Kharga further subdivided in 2018 for administrative decentralization.
Did You Know?
- New Valley Governorate comprises roughly half of Egypt's area.
- The capital of New Valley Governorate is Kharga.
- On 19 July 2014, 22 border guards were killed in an ambush at a checkpoint by the Farafra Oasis Road.
- As of January 2024, the estimated population of the governorate was 270,854.
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