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El
Minya |
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Minya is called the 'Bride of Upper Egypt' do to its location which
is roughly at the border of Upper and Lower Egypt. It lies about 153
miles south of Cairo and is a center for the manufacture of soap,
perfume and sugar processing. It is also the provincial capital. Once
a cotton center, there are some fine houses here, though not very
old, which housed the Greek and Egyptian cotton barons, but now house
government offices. There is little historical to see here, though
the tree lined Corniche along the Nile is pleasant. About four miles
outside town is a Muslim and Christian cemetery called Zawiyyet al-Mayyiteen
(Place of the Dead) which is said to be one of the largest cemeteries
in the world. Other sights to see include the El-Umra Mosque, which
is the town's oldest and the El-Lamati Mosque.Unfortunately, Minya
obtained a reputation for Islamic opposition to the Egyptian government.
We hope this reputation is changing, as Minya has always been considered
a pleasant stop over. |
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