Beni Suef (Arabic: بني سويف, romanizedBaniswēf) is the capital city of the Beni Suef Governorate in Egypt. The city is the location of Beni Suef University.[2] An important agricultural trade centre on the west bank of the Nile River, the city is located 110 km (70 miles) south of Cairo.

Beni Suef
بني سويف
The Nile in Beni Suef
The Nile in Beni Suef
Beni Suef is located in Egypt
Beni Suef
Beni Suef
Location within Egypt
Coordinates: 29°04′N 31°05′E / 29.067°N 31.083°E / 29.067; 31.083
Country Egypt
GovernorateBeni Suef
Area
 • Total
14.00 km2 (5.41 sq mi)
Elevation
33 m (108 ft)
Population
 (2024)[1]
 • Total
3,666,693
 • Density260,000/km2 (680,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
Area code(+20) 82

Etymology

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The modern name of the town is a corruption of its original name Manfiswayh (Arabic: منفسويه), which itself comes from a Coptic toponymic construction ⲡ-ⲙⲁ-ⲛ-... ("the place of..."); however, its exact etymology is unknown.[3]

History

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From the early Pharaonic era to the Roman period, the area was home to the city of Heracleopolis, 10 miles west of the modern city. which also served as the capital of Lower and Middle Egypt during the 9th and 10th dynasties. The modern city rose to prominence during the Middle Ages, when it was renowned for its linen manufacturing, which continues to the present day through the city's carpet making and cotton spinning industries.[4] Beni Suef became the chief town of the second province of Upper Egypt during the reign of Muhammad Ali in the 19th century.[5]

 
Beni Suef at 1874 by Carl Friedrich Heinrich Werner

Geography

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The total area of the governorate is 1,954 square kilometers, and it is divided into six governorates. It is bordered to the north by Giza governorate and Helwan, to the northeast by Suez, to the east by the Red Sea governorate, to the west by Fayoum governorate, and to the south by Minya governorate. This region connects the north of Egypt to the south, and the east to the west, and this identity of centrality has formed the population, civilization, and economic characters of the region. The geographical proximity to vital governorates such as Cairo and Giza is significant, and the governorates of the Red Sea, Suez, Fayoum and Ismailia tourist areas all act as markets for the industrial products made in Beni Suef.

Climate

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Beni Suef has a hot desert climate (BWh) in Köppen-Geiger classification, as does all of Egypt. It has very hot summers and warm winters with cool nights.

Climate data for Beni Suef
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 30.4
(86.7)
34.4
(93.9)
39.0
(102.2)
43.3
(109.9)
47.7
(117.9)
46.8
(116.2)
44.9
(112.8)
44.2
(111.6)
43.4
(110.1)
39.9
(103.8)
36.2
(97.2)
29.9
(85.8)
47.7
(117.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1)
21.5
(70.7)
25.0
(77.0)
30.3
(86.5)
34.2
(93.6)
36.9
(98.4)
37.1
(98.8)
36.6
(97.9)
34.7
(94.5)
31.0
(87.8)
25.3
(77.5)
20.9
(69.6)
29.4
(84.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 12.3
(54.1)
14.2
(57.6)
17.2
(63.0)
22.0
(71.6)
26.0
(78.8)
28.7
(83.7)
29.3
(84.7)
28.9
(84.0)
27.1
(80.8)
23.5
(74.3)
18.2
(64.8)
13.7
(56.7)
21.8
(71.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 5.6
(42.1)
6.9
(44.4)
9.6
(49.3)
13.8
(56.8)
17.4
(63.3)
20.2
(68.4)
21.6
(70.9)
21.4
(70.5)
19.5
(67.1)
16.7
(62.1)
11.7
(53.1)
7.4
(45.3)
14.3
(57.7)
Record low °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)
0.8
(33.4)
2.5
(36.5)
2.0
(35.6)
9.5
(49.1)
15.3
(59.5)
18.0
(64.4)
18.6
(65.5)
9.0
(48.2)
10.7
(51.3)
1.8
(35.2)
0.8
(33.4)
−0.2
(31.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 1
(0.0)
1
(0.0)
2
(0.1)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
1
(0.0)
0
(0)
6
(0.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.9
Average relative humidity (%) 61 54 49 40 37 39 45 50 51 54 58 63 50.1
Source 1: NOAA[6]
Source 2: Climate Charts[7]

Accidents

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Notable people

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Sports

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Banī Suwayf (Kism (fully urban), Egypt) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Beni Suef University". Archived from the original on 2021-09-20.
  3. ^ Carsten Peust (2010). Die Toponyme vorarabischen Ursprungs im modernen Ägypten. p. 91.
  4. ^ "Beni Suef in Egypt".
  5. ^ "Banī Suwayf | Egypt".
  6. ^ "Beni Suef Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  7. ^ "Beni Suef A., Egypt: Climate, Global Warming, and Daylight Charts and Data". Climate Charts. Archived from the original on 2010-12-03. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  8. ^ "One Way Ticket, reported by Fatemah Farag in Al-Ahram". 2002-02-28. Archived from the original on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  9. ^ Hala Halim (2005-09-15). "In the aftermath of Beni Suef". Al-Ahram. Archived from the original on 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  10. ^ Ibn Ad Dunya (2006-05-22). "Eight convicted for negligence in Beni Suef Cultural Palace fire". Archived from the original on 2018-09-20. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  11. ^ "Egyptian movie diva Berlenti Abdul Hamid dies at 75". Al-Masry Al-Youm. December 1, 2010.
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29°04′N 31°05′E / 29.067°N 31.083°E / 29.067; 31.083