1. Overview
Sharqia Governorate is one of Egypt's most historically and culturally rich regions, situated in the eastern sector of the Nile Delta. It is world-famous as the home of the ancient city of Bubastis (Tell Basta), a major religious center in ancient Egypt dedicated to the cat goddess Bastet. Beyond its archaeological significance, Sharqia is internationally renowned for its centuries-old tradition of Arabian horse breeding, hosting one of the largest horse festivals in the region. It represents a unique blend of pharaonic heritage, fertile agriculture, and living Bedouin-influenced traditions.
• Location: Eastern Nile Delta.
• Capital: Zagazig.
• Key Cities: Belbeis, Minya El-Qamh, Faqous.
• Famous For: Tell Basta (Bubastis), Arabian Horses, San El-Hagar (Tanis), Papyrus Making.
• Historical Identity: The Land of Goddess Bastet.
2. Name & Origin of Sharqia
The name "Sharqia" is derived from the Arabic word Sharq, meaning "East." It refers to the governorate's geographic position in the eastern part of the Nile Delta (Sharkiya means "The Eastern One"). Historical references to this name appear in medieval administrative records, distinguishing the eastern agricultural lands from the central and western Delta provinces.
3. Historical Timeline
Sharqia was the heart of the 12th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Nomes of Lower Egypt. The city of Bubastis (Per-Bast) was a major religious center where the Festival of Bastet attracted thousands of pilgrims, as described by Herodotus. Later, during the 21st and 22nd Dynasties, the city of Tanis (San El-Hagar) in northern Sharqia became the capital of Egypt, often called the "Thebes of the North" due to its massive temples and royal tombs.
Bubastis continued to flourish under the Ptolemies and Romans. The region was a critical breadbasket for the Roman Empire. Archaeological evidence shows a seamless integration of Greek and Egyptian religious practices, with temples remaining active and urban life thriving along the Pelusiac branch of the Nile.
Christianity spread extensively in the eastern Delta. Sharqia contains important stops on the Holy Family Trail, specifically in Belbeis, where the Holy Family is believed to have rested under a tree. Numerous villages established churches, and the Coptic language became the medium of worship, preserving the region's linguistic heritage.
With the Arab conquest in 641 AD, the region saw the entry of Arab tribes who settled in the eastern desert fringes and the Delta. The Sadat Quraish Mosque in Belbeis is considered one of the oldest mosques in Egypt, believed to be founded by Amr ibn al-Aas. The region became a patchwork of thriving market towns and agricultural estates.
Under the Ottomans, Sharqia was managed as a key grain-producing province. The Mamluk beys often held power here, managing the rich agricultural yields. The connection to the Hajj caravan route (via Sinai) added to its strategic importance.
In the 19th century, Muhammad Ali Pasha reorganized the administration, creating the modern boundaries of Sharqia. The governorate became a center for cotton production. The establishment of Zagazig as the capital on the ruins of Bubastis marked a new era of urban expansion and education.
4. Geography & Climate
Located in the eastern Nile Delta, Sharqia serves as the eastern gateway to Egypt. Its landscape transitions from fertile alluvial fields in the south and center to sandy desert fringes in the east. It is irrigated by the Ismailia Canal and Muweis Canal. The climate is moderate Mediterranean, ideal for diverse crops and livestock breeding.
5. Population & Society
Sharqia has a large population characterized by strong rural roots. The society values family lineage and tribal connections, especially in the eastern parts bordering the desert. There is a distinct "Sharqawy" identity known for generosity (Karam) and equestrian skills. The governorate has also produced notable leaders and artists, including Ahmed Orabi and Abdel Halim Hafez.
6. Administrative Divisions
- Zagazig: The capital and largest city.
- Belbeis: An ancient city with significant air bases.
- Minya El-Qamh: Known for wheat silos and granaries.
- Abu Hammad: A key agricultural district.
- Faqous: Close to the archaeological sites of Qantir (Pi-Ramesses).
- El-Husseiniya: Home to the ruins of Tanis.
- Al-Qaramous: The village famous for Papyrus making.
- 10th of Ramadan: A major modern industrial city located within the governorate's desert borders.
7. Zagazig – Capital City
Zagazig is the administrative and commercial heart of Sharqia. It was built near the ruins of ancient Bubastis. Today, it is a bustling university town, home to Zagazig University, one of Egypt's largest institutions. The city is a hub for trade, healthcare, and education for the eastern Delta.
8. Archaeology & Ancient Heritage
Sharqia is an open-air museum of ancient Egyptian history:
Bubastis (Tell Basta)
Located in Zagazig, this site contains the ruins of the Great Temple of Bastet. It features red granite columns, statues of Ramses II, and a sacred cat cemetery. It was the center of joy, music, and festivals in ancient Egypt.
Tanis (San El-Hagar)
Often called the "Thebes of the North," Tanis contains the royal necropolis of the 21st and 22nd Dynasties. The Royal Tombs of Tanis yielded treasures of gold and silver (like the mask of Psusennes I) that rival Tutankhamun's, discovered in 1939.
Qantir (Pi-Ramesses)
The site of the lost capital of Ramses the Great, from where he managed his empire and launched military campaigns.
9. Coptic & Islamic Heritage
The governorate preserves ancient religious continuity. The Church of St. George in Zagazig and old churches in rural villages highlight the Coptic presence. Islamic heritage is represented by the historic Sadat Quraish Mosque in Belbeis and Mamluk-era mosques scattered in older towns.
10. Arabian Horse Breeding
Sharqia is synonymous with the Arabian Horse. It is the center of horse breeding in Egypt, thanks to the Zahraa El-Zahraa stud farm and numerous private breeders. The governorate hosts an annual Arabian Horse Festival in Belbeis, attracting equestrian enthusiasts from around the world to witness beauty contests, literature, and horse dancing (Adab).
11. Economy of Sharqia
Agriculture: The primary economic engine. Sharqia is a top producer of wheat, rice, and cotton. The reclamation of desert lands in the east has expanded fruit and vegetable production.
Livestock: It is a major supplier of cattle, sheep, and poultry to Cairo.
Industry: The 10th of Ramadan City is an industrial powerhouse hosting thousands of factories producing textiles, electronics, ceramics, and food products, providing employment to thousands.
12. Trade & Markets
Sharqia hosts vibrant agricultural markets. The horse trade is a specialized niche, with high-value animals sold regionally and internationally. Weekly markets (Souq) in towns like Belbeis serve as major trading hubs for livestock and crops.
13. Transportation & Connectivity
The governorate is a strategic node connecting Cairo, the Canal Zone (Ismailia/Port Said), and the Delta. A dense network of railways and highways (like the Cairo-Ismailia Desert Road) facilitates the movement of goods and people. Zagazig is a major railway junction.
14. Culture, Traditions & Daily Life
Daily life is deeply rooted in agriculture and land. Festivals, especially harvest celebrations and horse festivals, are central to community life. The governorate is famous for Hawawshi (a meat-stuffed bread dish) which originated in the village of El-Aziziyah. Folk music, featuring the Rababa and Mizmar, is popular at weddings.
15. Tourism & Heritage Value
Sharqia offers a distinct form of cultural tourism:
- Archaeological Tourism: Visiting Tell Basta and the monumental ruins of Tanis.
- Equestrian Tourism: Visiting stud farms and attending the Horse Festival.
- Rural Tourism: Experiencing the traditional farming lifestyle and pigeon towers.
- Duck Hunting: In the Abbassa ponds near Abu Hammad, a tradition since the royal era.
- Papyrus Making: Witness the ancient art of making Papyrus in the village of Al-Qaramous, the only place in the world maintaining this pharaonic craft.
16. Sharqia's Role in the Nile Delta
Sharqia acts as the eastern shield of the Delta. It is an agricultural powerhouse, a guardian of Egypt's equestrian heritage, and a custodian of some of the most significant pharaonic cities in Lower Egypt. It bridges the gap between the lush Delta and the strategic Suez Canal zone.
17. Fun Facts About Sharqia
18. Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bubastis located today?19. References & Sources
- Supreme Council of Antiquities (Tanis & Tell Basta reports).
- Sharqia Governorate Official Portal.
- Zagazig University Archaeological Department.
- "The Cat in Ancient Egypt" - Historical Reference.
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