Page 133 - Tourism regions

Sohag Governorate

It is one of the governorates of Upper Egypt which has a deep-

rooted history and heritage which extends to the ancient ages,

where Abydos, now located in Markaz Belina, was the capital of

Egypt all through the eras of the first four Pharaonic

Dynasties. Also, the ancient city of This (Thinis) or El-Tina, the

village of mud or clay just north of Abydos, was home and

headquarters of the first Pharaoh of Egypt, known in history as

Mina Narmer who managed to unify Egypt.

During the Islamic era, the whole area of the governorate had

been a part of Egypt under the Ottoman Empire until it became a

separate province called Upper Egypt or Girga and its capital was

Girga city. Later, with the rule of Muhammad Ali, Egypt was

divided into directorates. However, Girga Directorate kept its

name until 1960, when the capital was moved to Sohag and the

name of the governorate changed accordingly.

Capital:

Sohag City

Egyptian Tourism Regions Page 132