Banha


Banha is the capital of the Qalyubiyya Governorate in north-eastern Egypt. Between the capital of Cairo and the city of Tanta, Banha is an important transport hub, as rail lines from Cairo to various cities in the Nile Delta pass through it. Benha is a part of Greater Cairo. Banha was founded as a city in 1850.

Etymology

The city's modern name derives from Banaho from Per neha, which means 'House of Sycamore '.

Geography

It is located north of Cairo. Located on the east bank of the Damietta Branch of the Nile River in the rich farmland of the southern part of the river's delta. Banha is a major junction in the rail network that radiates north from Cairo and it has the 6th biggest train station in Egypt.
The north of Benha is the site of one of several ancient cities called Athribis, the capital of the tenth nome of Lower Egypt in about 1500 BC. The site has never been systematically investigated by archaeologists. Over the years, peasants digging in the area have uncovered a large hoard of silver.
Athribis was the center of worship of the black bull and enjoyed the most popularity during the Roman period of rule in Egypt. Not much still stands of this ancient capital except some remains from the 18th to the 26th Dynasties. Though not a popular tourist destination, there are such sites here as a Greco-Roman cemetery and silver ingots discovered at the Athribis site currently on display at the Egyptian Museum.
About southwest of Banha is Tall al Yahudiya, the site of Leontopolis, famed for its glazed tiles in ancient times. Population is around 2,479,347 and total area is 16.105 km2.

Climate

classifies its climate as hot desert.

Economy

Well-irrigated by canals leading off the Delta Barrage, a dam upstream, the surrounding farmland produces wheat and long-staple cotton. Since ancient times, Banha has been known for the production of attar of roses, an ingredient in perfume. Today it is the center of Egypt's electronics industry.

Education

Banha University

was established in November 1976 as a branch of Zagazig University in the governorate. It became an independent University in 2005 incorporating several facilities and departments with around 60,500 graduates per annum. The Faculty of Medicine is notable for research and management of 2 main hospitals in Banha.

Districts

Banha consists of several districts: Bata, Kafr Bata, Al-Vilal, Banha El-Gedida, Attrib, El-Manshiyyah, Kafr Manakr, West El-Balad, El-Haras El-Watani, Manshiyyet El-Nur and Hayy El-Zehour, Kafr El-Saraia, Ezbet El-Moraba'a, Kafr El-gazzar, Batta, Ezbet Elmanyawi, Ar Ramla, Ezbet El-Ziraea.

Notable people