Dakahlia Governorate is considered the base of the Nile Delta; and one of the oldest governorates of Egypt. It was named so after Dakahla village, an old village that lies currently in Al- Zarqa Region Markaz, in Damietta governorate.

Capital:

Mansoura City

National Day:

Dakahlia celebrates its National Day on May 7^th every year, which marks the anniversary of the victory of Mansoura on the Crusade and capturing of King Louis IX, King of France in 1250.

Emblem:

It contains two branches of leaves as a symbol of agriculture; it also includes a gear of a machine as a symbol of industry in the governorate.

Location:

It is bounded by Sharkia governorate on the east, Gharbia and Kafr el-Sheikh governorates on the west, the Mediterranean on the north, Damietta on the north-east and Qalyobia on the south.

Climate:

Dakahlia has a mild climate that tends to be warm in winter with some rain that increases on the coasts, and is hot in summer; where the average annual temperatures range from 14 - 28 degrees Celsius.

Area:

The total area of ​​the governorate reaches 3538.23 Km², equivalent to about 0.4% of the total area of ​​the Republic. The population density reaches 1.61 thousand inhabitants / km².

Population:

The population of the governorate is estimated by about 5876583 million (January 2015), representing about 6.80% of the total population of the Republic.

Administrative Division:

The governorate is divided into 16 regions, Markazes, including 19 cities which are:

Belqas that includes Belqas and Gamasa;  Mansoura that includes Mansoura and Mahalet Dimna;  Moniat Al-Nasr that includes Moniat Al-Nasr and Al-Kurdi; in addition to Aga, Sherbeen, Al-Gamaleya, Talkha, Al-senbellaween, Meet Salsabeel, Al-Mataria, Meet Ghamr, Al-Manzala, Nabarouh, Beni Obeid, Dekerness and Timai Al-Amdid.  These cities include 120 village units, where 366 villages are affiliated to.  Markaz Belqas is the largest in area in the governorate, followed by Markaz Mansoura.

Agricultural Activity:

Dakahlia Governorate is considered one of the major agricultural governorates in Egypt, where the cultivated area in it reaches 683 thousand feddans. It is famous for the cultivation of traditional crops such as: cotton, rice, wheat and maize.

Furthermore, the government is considered among the areas rich in water potentialities, and fish wealth.  It is also famous for the production of red and white meat, and dairy products.

Industrial Activity:

Industrial establishments spread all over the governorate. It is famous for a number of old and diverse industries, most important of which are: fertilizers; chemical industries; spinning, weaving and ready- made clothes;  hydrogenation of oils and soap; particleboard and resins;  hulling rice; mills; cotton ginning; dairy; and printing and publishing. This is in addition to small-scale and environmental industries that spread in all villages across the governorate. It also includes three industrial zones; southwest of Gamasa, Al- Asafra and Markaz Al-Mataria.

Education:

The total number of schools reached 3256 in 2013-2014, 119 school of which are private, 158 are for technical education, in addition to 996 Azhari institutes in pre-university education. Moreover, there is Mansoura University that comprises 18 faculties.

Research and Health Centers:

The governorate comprises about 26 University research centers. Furthermore, there are 4 hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health, two hospitals belonging to Health Insurance, namely Al-Mabarrah and Al- Mansoura. Moreover, it includes 34 centers for kidney dialysis; in addition to seven university hospitals, namely Children Hospital, Internal Medicine, Emergency, Al-Mansoura, Kidney Center, Gastrointestinal Surgery Center and Ophthalmology Center.  Many of these hospitals have become world medical centers that the government is proud of. Moreover, there are 23 public and central hospitals, and 134 hospitals of the private sector.

Culture:

Dakahlia governorate includes 23 culture palaces and houses, 298 public libraries in addition to 14 cinemas, a theatre, and Al-Mansoura Museum for Antiquities.

Youth and Sports:

The governorate ranks first among governorates concerning the number of youth centers as it reaches up to 471 centers, including 321 libraries. The number of sports clubs reaches 44, in addition to Al- Mansoura Sports Stadium.

Archeological and Tourist Landmarks:

Gamasa Summer Resort:

Gamasa Summer Resort is characterized by its clear water, low humidity, soft sand and high percentage of iodine. It is located in the north of Dakahlia along 7.5 Km on the Mediterranean coast.

Lake Manzala:

Lake Manzala is characterized by the presence of a number of islands, most important of which is Ibn Salam Island that comprises the shrine of Sahabi, Companion, Abdullah Ibn Salam. Moreover, Lake Manzala is characterized by its fisheries and the various types of migratory birds; now it is being studied how to make use of it in tourism.

Al-Ward “Roses” Island:

It is an island on the Nile River opposite to Mansoura city. Its area reaches ​​about 30 feddans of gardens and turf.

The Zoo:

It is located in Turrell district at Mansoura. It extends on a green space of about 12257 m² divided into beds for flowers; and cages and houses for animals and birds of various kinds.

Dar Ibn Luqman:

It is located next to Al- Mowafi Mosque amidst Mansoura. It has taken its fame after Louis IX, King of France and leader of the Crusade to Egypt (1249 - 1250 AD), has been imprisoned in it. A historic Museum had been established in the house where it contains a lot of paintings, information and photos that illustrate the role of the Egyptians in destroying the Crusade forces; in addition to some of the clothing and weapons that were used in the battle.

Al- Zohour “Roses” Village:

 It was established on an area of 64 thousand square meters and includes 320 residential units, and a large commercial market.

Othmathon Village:

 It comprises 230 residential units, swimming pools, a cinema and a theatre that accommodates up to 500 persons.

Gzeiret Al-Ward “Roses Island” Village:

It is located on an area of 56 thousand square meters; it includes 340 residential units, a commercial center, a swimming pool and a meeting room.

Archaeological Places:

Dakahlia encompasses a great number of archaeological places that represent a long period of Egypt's history in different eras. Excavation and search works had taken place in these areas.

There is an archaeological area about 8 km northwest of the city of Al-Senbellawin. It combines between two adjacent archaeological areas, namely “Tel El-Rab’a” and “Tel Timai Al-Amdid”.

Among the most important Islamic shrines:

Al-Mowafi Mosque: one of the most famous mosques in Mansoura. It was founded by King Al-Saleh “Nagm El-Din Ayoub” in 583 AH – 1187 AD.

Al-Ghamry Archaeological Mosque and Minaret: It is located in Meet Ghamr city; this unique minaret dates back to the reign of Mamluks.

Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr Al-Sedik Mosque: It is located in Meet Demsis at Markaz Aga. It is the Mosque of Mohammad Ibn Abi Bakr Al-Sedik, son of the Companion Sahabi of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the first Caliph of the Muslims. His tomb was discovered in 1950.

Prince Hammad Corner Zawya: It is located next to Al- Ghamry Mosque; and it dates back to the Mamluks era.

Among the most important Coptic shrines:

Saint Mar-Gerges Church: It lies in Meet Demsis at Markaz Aga. It is composed of two buildings; one of them dates back to more than 1,600 years.

Monastery of St. Damiana: It is located in Damiana village at Markaz Belqas. It includes five churches; one of them is an archeological church in Gothic style that was discovered in late 1947.

Dakahlia Governorate

Dakahlia Governorate is considered the base of the Nile Delta; and one of the oldest governorates of Egypt. It was named so after Dakahla village, an old village that lies currently in Al- Zarqa Region Markaz, in Damietta governorate.

Capital:

Mansoura City

National Day:

Dakahlia celebrates its National Day on May 7^th every year, which marks the anniversary of the victory of Mansoura on the Crusade and capturing of King Louis IX, King of France in 1250.

Emblem:

It contains two branches of leaves as a symbol of agriculture; it also includes a gear of a machine as a symbol of industry in the governorate.

Location:

It is bounded by Sharkia governorate on the east, Gharbia and Kafr el-Sheikh governorates on the west, the Mediterranean on the north, Damietta on the north-east and Qalyobia on the south.

Climate:

Dakahlia has a mild climate that tends to be warm in winter with some rain that increases on the coasts, and is hot in summer; where the average annual temperatures range from 14 - 28 degrees Celsius.

Area:

The total area of ​​the governorate reaches 3538.23 Km², equivalent to about 0.4% of the total area of ​​the Republic. The population density reaches 1.61 thousand inhabitants / km².

Population:

The population of the governorate is estimated by about 5876583 million (January 2015), representing about 6.80% of the total population of the Republic.

Administrative Division:

The governorate is divided into 16 regions, Markazes, including 19 cities which are:

Belqas that includes Belqas and Gamasa;  Mansoura that includes Mansoura and Mahalet Dimna;  Moniat Al-Nasr that includes Moniat Al-Nasr and Al-Kurdi; in addition to Aga, Sherbeen, Al-Gamaleya, Talkha, Al-senbellaween, Meet Salsabeel, Al-Mataria, Meet Ghamr, Al-Manzala, Nabarouh, Beni Obeid, Dekerness and Timai Al-Amdid.  These cities include 120 village units, where 366 villages are affiliated to.  Markaz Belqas is the largest in area in the governorate, followed by Markaz Mansoura.

Agricultural Activity:

Dakahlia Governorate is considered one of the major agricultural governorates in Egypt, where the cultivated area in it reaches 683 thousand feddans. It is famous for the cultivation of traditional crops such as: cotton, rice, wheat and maize.

Furthermore, the government is considered among the areas rich in water potentialities, and fish wealth.  It is also famous for the production of red and white meat, and dairy products.

Industrial Activity:

Industrial establishments spread all over the governorate. It is famous for a number of old and diverse industries, most important of which are: fertilizers; chemical industries; spinning, weaving and ready- made clothes;  hydrogenation of oils and soap; particleboard and resins;  hulling rice; mills; cotton ginning; dairy; and printing and publishing. This is in addition to small-scale and environmental industries that spread in all villages across the governorate. It also includes three industrial zones; southwest of Gamasa, Al- Asafra and Markaz Al-Mataria.

Education:

The total number of schools reached 3256 in 2013-2014, 119 school of which are private, 158 are for technical education, in addition to 996 Azhari institutes in pre-university education. Moreover, there is Mansoura University that comprises 18 faculties.

Research and Health Centers:

The governorate comprises about 26 University research centers. Furthermore, there are 4 hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health, two hospitals belonging to Health Insurance, namely Al-Mabarrah and Al- Mansoura. Moreover, it includes 34 centers for kidney dialysis; in addition to seven university hospitals, namely Children Hospital, Internal Medicine, Emergency, Al-Mansoura, Kidney Center, Gastrointestinal Surgery Center and Ophthalmology Center.  Many of these hospitals have become world medical centers that the government is proud of. Moreover, there are 23 public and central hospitals, and 134 hospitals of the private sector.

Culture:

Dakahlia governorate includes 23 culture palaces and houses, 298 public libraries in addition to 14 cinemas, a theatre, and Al-Mansoura Museum for Antiquities.

Youth and Sports:

The governorate ranks first among governorates concerning the number of youth centers as it reaches up to 471 centers, including 321 libraries. The number of sports clubs reaches 44, in addition to Al- Mansoura Sports Stadium.

Archeological and Tourist Landmarks:

Gamasa Summer Resort:

Gamasa Summer Resort is characterized by its clear water, low humidity, soft sand and high percentage of iodine. It is located in the north of Dakahlia along 7.5 Km on the Mediterranean coast.

Lake Manzala:

Lake Manzala is characterized by the presence of a number of islands, most important of which is Ibn Salam Island that comprises the shrine of Sahabi, Companion, Abdullah Ibn Salam. Moreover, Lake Manzala is characterized by its fisheries and the various types of migratory birds; now it is being studied how to make use of it in tourism.

Al-Ward “Roses” Island:

It is an island on the Nile River opposite to Mansoura city. Its area reaches ​​about 30 feddans of gardens and turf.

The Zoo:

It is located in Turrell district at Mansoura. It extends on a green space of about 12257 m² divided into beds for flowers; and cages and houses for animals and birds of various kinds.

Dar Ibn Luqman:

It is located next to Al- Mowafi Mosque amidst Mansoura. It has taken its fame after Louis IX, King of France and leader of the Crusade to Egypt (1249 - 1250 AD), has been imprisoned in it. A historic Museum had been established in the house where it contains a lot of paintings, information and photos that illustrate the role of the Egyptians in destroying the Crusade forces; in addition to some of the clothing and weapons that were used in the battle.

Al- Zohour “Roses” Village:

 It was established on an area of 64 thousand square meters and includes 320 residential units, and a large commercial market.

Othmathon Village:

 It comprises 230 residential units, swimming pools, a cinema and a theatre that accommodates up to 500 persons.

Gzeiret Al-Ward “Roses Island” Village:

It is located on an area of 56 thousand square meters; it includes 340 residential units, a commercial center, a swimming pool and a meeting room.

Archaeological Places:

Dakahlia encompasses a great number of archaeological places that represent a long period of Egypt's history in different eras. Excavation and search works had taken place in these areas.

There is an archaeological area about 8 km northwest of the city of Al-Senbellawin. It combines between two adjacent archaeological areas, namely “Tel El-Rab’a” and “Tel Timai Al-Amdid”.

Among the most important Islamic shrines:

Al-Mowafi Mosque: one of the most famous mosques in Mansoura. It was founded by King Al-Saleh “Nagm El-Din Ayoub” in 583 AH – 1187 AD.

Al-Ghamry Archaeological Mosque and Minaret: It is located in Meet Ghamr city; this unique minaret dates back to the reign of Mamluks.

Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr Al-Sedik Mosque: It is located in Meet Demsis at Markaz Aga. It is the Mosque of Mohammad Ibn Abi Bakr Al-Sedik, son of the Companion Sahabi of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the first Caliph of the Muslims. His tomb was discovered in 1950.

Prince Hammad Corner Zawya: It is located next to Al- Ghamry Mosque; and it dates back to the Mamluks era.

Among the most important Coptic shrines:

Saint Mar-Gerges Church: It lies in Meet Demsis at Markaz Aga. It is composed of two buildings; one of them dates back to more than 1,600 years.

Monastery of St. Damiana: It is located in Damiana village at Markaz Belqas. It includes five churches; one of them is an archeological church in Gothic style that was discovered in late 1947.