Sohag

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title: "Sohag" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["sohag", "cities-in-egypt", "former-populated-places-in-egypt", "governorate-capitals-in-egypt", "populated-places-in-sohag-governorate", "metropolitan-areas-of-egypt", "medieval-cities-of-egypt"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sohag" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Sohag
native_name	سوهاج
nickname	Bride of the Nile
settlement_type	City
motto
image_skyline	{{Multiple image
perrow	1/2/2/2
total_width	300
caption_align	center
image1	SohagNasrCity.jpg
caption1	Sohag Corniche
image2	SohagTahtawiMemorial.jpg
caption2	Refa'a El-Tahtawi's Memorial
image3	SohagArifSouthSide.jpg
caption3	Sidi Arif Mosque
image4	SohagNationalMuseum-2017-2.jpg
caption4	Sohag National Museum
image5	BabsohagC00107.jpg
caption5	Sohag International Airport
image6	SohagGaziratZuhur.jpg
caption6	Zubur Island
image7	WhiteMonasteryCourtEast.jpg
caption7	White Monastery
border	infobox
seal_size	x
pushpin_map	Egypt
pushpin_label_position	bottom
pushpin_mapsize	300
pushpin_map_caption	Location in Egypt
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Egypt
subdivision_type1	Governorate
subdivision_name1	Sohag
subdivision_type2	Markaz
subdivision_name2	Sohag Markaz
subdivision_name3
leader_title	Governor
leader_name	Dr/Tarik al-Faki
leader_title1
established_date
area_footnotes
area_land_km2	9.03
	population_as_of
population_footnotes
population_total	266,944
population_rank	21st in Egypt
population_density_km2	auto
population_density_sq_mi	76500
population_metro	600,000
population_density_metro_km2	auto
population_density_metro_sq_mi	auto
population_demonym	Sohagi, Sohagy
population_density_blank1_km2	auto
population_density_blank1_sq_mi	auto
timezone	EET
utc_offset	+2
timezone_DST	EEST
utc_offset_DST	+3
coordinates
elevation_footnotes
elevation_m	67
elevation_ft
postal_code_type	Postal code
postal_code	82749
area_code_type	Area code
area_code	+20 (93)
website
::

| name = Sohag | other_name = | native_name = سوهاج | nickname = Bride of the Nile | settlement_type = City | motto = | image_skyline = {{Multiple image | perrow = 1/2/2/2 | total_width = 300 | caption_align = center | image1 = SohagNasrCity.jpg | caption1 = Sohag Corniche | image2 = SohagTahtawiMemorial.jpg | caption2 = Refa'a El-Tahtawi's Memorial | image3 = SohagArifSouthSide.jpg | caption3 = Sidi Arif Mosque | image4 = SohagNationalMuseum-2017-2.jpg | caption4 = Sohag National Museum | image5 = BabsohagC00107.jpg | caption5 = Sohag International Airport | image6 = SohagGaziratZuhur.jpg | caption6 = Zubur Island | image7 = WhiteMonasteryCourtEast.jpg | caption7 = White Monastery | border = infobox | image_seal = | seal_size = x | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Egypt | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_mapsize = 300 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Egypt | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Egypt | subdivision_type1 = Governorate | subdivision_name1 = Sohag | subdivision_type2 = Markaz | subdivision_name2 = Sohag Markaz | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Governor | leader_name = Dr/Tarik al-Faki | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | established_title = | established_date = | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = | area_land_km2 = 9.03 | population_as_of = 2021 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 266,944 | population_rank = 21st in Egypt | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = 76500 | population_metro = 600,000 | population_density_metro_km2 = auto | population_density_metro_sq_mi = auto | population_demonym = Sohagi, Sohagy | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = auto | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = auto | timezone = EET | utc_offset = +2 | timezone_DST = EEST | utc_offset_DST = +3 | coordinates = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 67 | elevation_ft = | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 82749 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = +20 (93) | blank_name = | blank_info = | blank1_name = | blank1_info = | website =
| footnotes = | official_name =

Sohag (, , ), also spelled as Suhag or Suhaj, is a city on the west bank of the Nile in Egypt. The city has been the capital of Sohag Governorate since 1960, before which the capital was Girga and the name of the governorate was Girga Governorate. The city also included Esna Governorate (nowadays part of Qena Governorate).

History

The modern city developed from the village of Suhay () (or Sumay), the name of which eventually transformed into Suhaj, and is located on the site of several ancient settlements, the largest of which is Bompae (; or ). The others include Tmupaie (, ), Bay (, possibly an Arabisation of the aforementioned "Paha") and Sawaqi ().

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Sohag_by_NASA.jpg" caption="Satellite image of Sohag"] ::

Sohag lies on a fertile agricultural plain on the western bank of the Nile, approximately 6 km southwest of Akhmim. The city includes two islands; Karaman-ez-Zahur Island is larger and uninhabited, and ez-Zahur Island (جزيرة الزهور, Ǧazīrat az-Zuhur, "Flower Island") has some homes.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Egypt

The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies Sohag's climate as hot desert (BWh). Luxor, Minya, Sohag, Qena and Asyut have the widest difference of temperatures between days and nights of any city in Egypt, with almost 16 C-change difference. Sohag is one of the warmest places in Egypt due to its location on the eastern side of Sahara in North Africa. Sohag is ranked the 5th driest place in Egypt and the 9th globally. Also ranked 4th warmest place in Egypt and 296th globally.

|precipitation colour=green

|Jan humidity = 57 |Feb humidity = 50 |Mar humidity = 44 |Apr humidity = 36 |May humidity = 30 |Jun humidity = 31 |Jul humidity = 37 |Aug humidity = 43 |Sep humidity = 45 |Oct humidity = 44 |Nov humidity = 51 |Dec humidity = 56 |year humidity = 43.7 |source 1 = NOAA{{Cite FTP |url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/UB/62397.TXT |server = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = Sohag Climate Normals 1961–1990 |access-date = January 17, 2016}} |source 2 = Climate Charts{{Cite web |url=https://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/e/UB62397.html |title =Sohag, Egypt: Climate, Global Warming, and Daylight Charts and Data|access-date =9 July 2013 |publisher =Climate Charts}}

Demographics

::data[format=table]

1928	1976	1986	1996	2006	2012	2018	2021
20,760	101,758	132,965	170,125	189,695	201,339	248,174	266,944
Starting in 1928: Population of Sohag City
::

Subdivisions

Sohag is informally divided into the East District (Arabic: حى شرق) and the West District (Arabic: حي غرب). Among the most notable regions of the West District are:

Sidi Aref
Al Shahid (Arabic for the Martyr)
Gharb Al-Koubry ("West of the Bridge" neighborhood)

The East District is considered a more upscale district; it includes some of the most affluent neighborhoods of the city including 15th Street, Al Kashef Street, Jumhuriya Street, The Courts Compound, and The Technical and Agricultural Schools. Some of the most notable locales of the East District include:

The Courts Compound of Sohag
City Hall of Sohag
Sohag University
Sohag Teaching Hospital, one of the biggest hospitals of the region
Multiple governmental directorates
Many recreational areas including The Sohag Stadium and many parks including Al Zohour, a revitalized island park located in the middle of the Nile.
Nasr City, the first satellite city to be built in the East District. It was established during the presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Economy

The city of Sohag itself encloses only a few archaeological sites, hence tourism represents only a small portion of the city's income. Other sources of income include trade and small industries. Also the administrative and educational services are two big sectors of income.

Agriculture

The city itself is surrounded by rural areas with fertile land along the Nile, agriculture is a cornerstone of the economy. Key crops include wheat, maize, garlic, and oil crops like peanuts. Beekeeping and livestock raising are also important supplementary income sources for households.

Industry

Small-scale industries form a significant part of the local economy, particularly in the production of carpets, furniture, spinning and weaving, and sugar. Akhmim, a city within the Sohag governorate, is particularly known for its weaving and embroidery. Recent government initiatives are focused on boosting industrial growth in priority sectors like engineering, chemicals, and food processing, including the establishment of industrial complexes like the one in West Girga.

Tourism and Trade

Administrative and educational services, along with trade, are major sectors providing income and employment. Tourism: Tourism currently represents only a small portion of the city's income, as the city itself encloses relatively few major archaeological sites.

Culture

Language

A version of the dialect continuum of Saidi Arabic is spoken by the people of Sohag. Most urbanized people, however, may speak to varying degrees Egyptian Arabic.

Museums

The Sohag Museum contains about 5,000 artifacts gathered from around the Sohag governorate, including items stretching from the Middle Kingdom to Greco-Roman times.

Bazaars

Souq el-Qisareya: The bazaar in Sohag is named suq Qaiṣarīya and is partly covered.

Souq el-Itnein is a weekly market held every Monday morning; vegetables, fruits, animals and traditional hand made objects (like baskets, farming axes and bags) are sold there. The weekly market is believed to have originated during the Ancient Egyptian era. The souq is now in the south of the city and is held in the streets and beside the city cemetery.

Mosques

Sidi Arif Mosque (Arabic: مسجد العارف بالله, Masjid al-ʿArif bi-Allah). The mosque is located in the south of the city. The el-ʿArif Mosque was built in the 14th century—the 8th century in the Islamic calendar. The present building was constructed around 1995. At the corners of the façade are two minarets and the roof is crowned by a dome. Inside the five-nave mosque the bases of the piers and the walls were lined with red granite. The ceiling is painted ornamentally; in its middle is an elongated light dome. The southeastern half is lit by chandeliers. At the end are the prayer niche (mihrab) with simple ornaments and to the right of it the wooden pulpit (minbar).

::data[format=table] | [[File:SohagArifDome.jpg|thumb|left|Ceiling of the Sidi Arif Mosque]] | |---| ::

El-Farshuti Mosque (Arabic: جامع الفرشوطي, Jāmʿi al-Farschūṭī), also named el-'Atiq Mosque (the old mosque) is located approximately 350 m southwest of the Sidi Arif Mosque. The most striking feature of the mosque is its 53 m minaret in the southeast corner. The minaret has galleries with balustrades on four floors. The mosque is a modern, bright building. The mosque is divided into five naves by columns and pillars. It has a central light dome, which is inscribed at the bottom with a sura from the Qur'an. The bases of the walls are painted yellow and white with green bands. A very colorful prayer niche next to the wooden pulpit is located at the southeastern side.

In the masonry on the eastern, southern and western sides are stones engraved with historical inscriptions moved from previous buildings, including a decree of the penultimate Mamluk sultan al-Ghawri (1441–1516) from the year 1506 (911 AH) on the southeastern side.

::data[format=table] | [[File:SohagFarschutiDome.jpg|thumb|left|Ceiling of the el-Farshuti Mosque]] | |---| ::

Churches

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/SohagMarGirgis.jpg" caption="Mar Girgis Church"] ::

Sohag has two important churches that were erected in the 20th century: the Church of the Holy Virgin and the Church of Saint George.

The Church of the Holy Virgin (Arabic: كنيسة السيدة العذراء, Kanīsat as-Saiyida al-ʿAdraʾ). The church is located in the north of the bazaar (souq Qaiṣarīya). It consists of five naves. There are three sanctuaries for Saint George (left), the Holy Virgin and the Archangel Michael at the ends of the middle three naves. All sanctuaries are completely screened by a wooden iconostasis. On both sides of the entrances to the sanctuaries are wooden icons of the Holy Virgin and Jesus. The Lord's Last Supper and the crosses are located above the iconstasis. The presentation in the central nave is framed by a fish and a pigeon; the other ones are framed by angels and a dove. Galleries are located above the aisles and the entrance. On the walls are paintings of saints and scenes from the life of Jesus.

::data[format=table] | [[File:SohagVirginToWest.jpg|thumb|Church of the Holy Virgin]] | [[File:SohagVirginInside.jpg|thumb|Inside the Church of the Holy Virgin]] | [[File:SohagVirginIcon.jpg|thumb|Icon of the Holy Virgin with her child]] | |---|---|---| ::

Church of St. George is the cathedral of the diocese of Sohag (Arabic: كنيسة مار جرجس, Kanīsat Mar Girgis). The church is located 300 m north of the Opera (Midan Obira) or Culture Square (Midan eth-Thaqafa).
Church of the Archangel Michael (Arabic: كنيسة الملاك ميخائيل). The church is located in Railway Station Street (El-Mahatta Street) on the eastern side of the railway tracks.

Monasteries

White Monastery

Main article: White Monastery

The Coptic White Monastery is a Coptic Orthodox monastery named after Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite. It is located about 5 km west of Sohag. The monastery's name is derived from the color of the white limestone in its outside walls. The surviving building is the church of what was once a much larger monastery complex.

Red Monastery

Main article: Red Monastery

The Red Monastery is a Coptic Orthodox monastery named after an Egyptian saint called Pishay. It is located about 5 km north of the White Monastery. The monastery's name is derived from the color of the construction material of its outside walls, consisting of red (burnt) brick. The walls are considerably thicker at the base than at the top and, like the walls of Ancient Egyptian temples, they are surmounted by cavetto moldings. The Red Monastery is architecturally similar to the White Monastery.

::data[format=table] | [[File:RedMonasteryOutside.jpg|thumb|left|Red Monastery]] | [[File:WhiteMonasterySouthSide.jpg|thumb|left|White Monastery]] | |---|---| ::

Temples and cemeteries

Sohag is the site of a temple built for the goddess Repyt (Triphis) by Ptolemy XV Caesarion and subsequent Roman emperors. South of this temple was an earlier temple of Ptolemy IX Soter II (see also Athribis Project). One of the nearby tombs of the brothers Ibpemeny "the younger" and Pemehyt of the late second century BC, has two zodiacs on its ceiling.

Sports

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Sohag_stadium.jpg" caption="Sohag Stadium"] ::

The most popular sport in Sohag is Association football. Sohag has many football clubs, including the Egyptian Premier League (EPL) team Sohag FC. In addition, EPL club has El Gouna FC used Sohag stadium as a home ground at times.

Transport

Air

Main article: Sohag International Airport

Sohag International Airport serves as the primary international airport of the city of Sohag. Opened in 2010, the airport caters to passengers from Sohag and areas nearby to international flights and domestic flights.

Train

The train is a popular and comfortable way to travel between Sohag and other key cities along the Nile. The journey from Sohag to Cairo takes approximately 7 hours, while a trip to Luxor takes less than 3 hours. Tickets and schedules can be found through Egyptian Railways or third-party booking sites.

Road, buses and taxis

Several private bus companies operate modern, air-conditioned coaches with amenities like Wi-Fi and extra legroom. Major operators include Superjet, Go Bus, Blue Bus, and Horus Transport. Buses are often the most affordable option for long-distance travel. Sohag is linked to Giza and northern cities by the road of Asyut Western Desert, Eastern Desert Road and Rural Road, which also connects it to the railways.

Minibus is the primary means of getting around the city and connect different parts of Sohag. Taxi is common, but they generally lack meters. Fares are typically fixed based on whether you cross the Nile River or not.

In February 2010, a highway linking Sohag to the Red Sea city Hurghada was opened to ease movement between Upper Egypt and the Red Sea coastal region.

::data[format=table]

City	Distance (km)
Alexandria	692
Port Said	691
Ismaïlia	616
Suez	605
Cairo	471
Aswan	428
Luxor	205
Asyut	98
::

Education

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Sohag_military_school.jpg" caption="Sohag Military school is one of the oldest schools in Sa'id/Upper Egypt, established 1928"] ::

Educational establishments in Sohag include:

Primary schools

Al-Nasr school
Huda Sharawi school
Mulhaqat Al-Mu'allemat school

Middle schools

Ahmad Deifalla school
Nabawi Muhandis school
Ali Osman Baltak school
Tarik Ibn Ziad school

High schools

Sohag Military school
Abdelmunim Riad school
Asmaa Bint Abi Bakr school
Hag Hadad school

Universities

Sohag University is a public university with more than 40,000 students located on the eastern side of the city. It was established under the banner of South Valley University but became independent in 2006. There are currently ten colleges in Sohag University.

Notable people

Notable people who originate from or live in Sohag include:

Narmer, The first pharaoh of unified Egypt and the founder of the Early Dynastic Period (c. 32nd century BC).
Sheikh Mohamed Siddiq El-Minshawi, one of the most renowned Qur'anic reciters of all the Islamic world.
Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy, Former Imam of Al-Azhar.
Rifa'a el-Tahtawi, writer, teacher, translator, Egyptologist, renaissance intellectual and founder of Madrasat al-Alsun (Tongues School).
Onsi Sawiris, Billionaire businessman
Mustafa al-Maraghi, reformer and rector of Al-Azhar Mosque.
Mohammed Aboul-Fotouh Hassab, gastro-intestinal surgeon.
Gamal El-Ghitani, author of historical novels and cultural and political commentaries.
Atef El-Tayeb, film director.
George Sidhom, film actor.
Emad Hamdy, Film actor.
Baligh Hamdi, composer who created hit songs for many prominent Arabic singers.
Dhul-Nun al-Misri, Sufi saint considered the Patron Saint of the Physicians in the early Islamic era of Egypt .
Jaber Abu Hussein, narrator of the Taghribat Bani Hilal.

Nearby attractions

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Osireion.jpg" caption="Osireion, Abydos"] ::

Abydos is one of the most ancient cities of Upper Egypt, and also of the eighth Upper Nome, of which it was the capital city. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Ancient Egypt. The sacred city of Abydos was the site of many ancient temples, including a Umm el-Qa'ab, a royal necropolis where early pharaohs were entombed.
Akhmim has several mosques and two Coptic churches. It maintains a weekly market and manufactures cotton goods.
El-Hawawish is the ancient necropolis (cemetery) for Akhmim.
El-Salamuni comprises a rock-cut chapel dedicated to the god Min.
The Meritamen statue in eastern Akhmim.
Outside Beit Khallaf are two large brick mastabas from the Third Dynasty.
The city Athribis is the site of a temple built for the goddess Repyt (Triphis) by Ptolemy XV Caesarion and subsequent Roman Emperors.

Photo gallery

References

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"Uncover Sohag’s Colourful History Through These 7 Stunning Sites".
Law, Gwillim. (1999). "Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998". McFarland.
"Sūhāj {{!}} Nile Delta, Ancient City, Coptic Monasteries {{!}} Britannica". Encyclopedia Britannica.
محمد رمزي. "القاموس الجغرافي للبلاد المصرية".
"TM Places". [[Trismegistos]].
Richardson, Dan. (2003). "The Rough Guide to Egypt". Rough Guides.
Baedeker, Karl; Steindorff, Georg: ''Ägypten und der Sûdan: Handbuch für Reisende'', Leipzig: Baedeker, 1928, 8. ed., p. 221.
"World Gazetteer: Sohag".
"Egypt’s planning ministry issues the “Citizen Investment Plan” for Sohag Governorate in FY 2020/2021 plan".
(2024-09-20). "Economic Factors Affecting the Peanut Crop in Sohag Governorate". Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research.
"UN Lists Upper Egypt Local Development Program as a Best Practice to Achieving Results Towards 2030 SDGs".
Miller, Catherine. (2005-09-19). "Between accomodation [sic] and resistance: Upper Egyptian migrants in Cairo". Linguistics.
"The Sohag Museum". [[Supreme Council of Antiquities]] - Museums.
Haag, Michael. (2004). "Egypt". New Holland Publishers.
[[Richard Talbert]], ''[[Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World]]'', ({{ISBN. 0-691-03169-X), p. 77.
"El Gouna FC - Misr El Makkasa Live - Summary: Football Scores & Highlights - 17/05/2022".
"Getting Around in Sohag {{!}}".
Vivian, Cassandra. (2008-01-01). "Western Desert of The Egypt". The Western Desert of Egypt.
"New Sohag Dry Port – الهيئة العامة".
"Hosni Mubarak {{!}} Biography, History, & Facts {{!}} Britannica".
"جامعة سوهاج".
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