Asyut Governorate
| Asyut Governorate | ||
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| Governorate | ||
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.svg) Asyut Governorate on the map of Egypt |
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| Coordinates: 27°15′07″N 31°05′24″E / 27.252°N 31.09°ECoordinates: 27°15′07″N 31°05′24″E / 27.252°N 31.09°E | ||
| Country |
 Egypt
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| Seat | Asyut (capital) | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Ibrahim Hamad | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 4,123,441 | |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | |
Asyut Governorate (Egyptian Arabic: محافظة أسيوط Muḥāfẓet Asyut) is one of the governorates of Egypt. It stretches across the Nile. The capital of the governorate is the city of Asyut.
The name of Asyut is derived from early Egyptian Zawty (Z3JW.TJ), late Egyptian Səyáwt into Coptic Syowt.
According to population estimates from 2015 the majority of residents in the governorate live in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 26.5%. Out of an estimated 4,245,215 people residing in the governorate, 3,119,112 people live in rural areas as opposed to only 1,126,103 in urban areas.
Asyut governorate has a population of over 4 million people,with a significant Coptic presence. In 1914, it had the second largest proportion of Copts in Egypt, where they made up 20.7% of the population. However it is likely that figure is underestimated, since the Church claims up to 48.5% while the remaining population are Sunni Muslims. Evangelical (Protestant) religions had significant growth in some districts of Asyut, as evidenced in 1907 census data, where half of the citizens of a village were counted as Protestant Copts. Muslims and Christians have lived together in Asyut and at times there have been clashes. In July 2013, a large number of Christians took to the streets to protest Muslim extremism in Asyut. Whether Christian or Muslim, Asyut is home to a very conservative society and in October, 2016 Upper Egypt's first beauty pageant, which was to be held in Asyut, had to be canceled due to death threats and security issues. A very conservative society, which is Asyut, stopped the pageant.
According to the Egyptian Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in affiliation with the Ministry of Investment (MOI), the following industrial zones are located in this governorate:
Ancient quarries are an important feature of Asyut. There are about 500 rock-cut tombs and limestone quarries all around Asyut.The governorate of Asyut includes the Ancient Egyptian tombs of Meir, and the town of Durunka, which is a pilgrimage site for many Copts who come to visit a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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Wikipedia