Monufia Governorate (Arabic: محافظة المنوفية, Muhafazat al-Minufiyya) lies in the southern Nile Delta, in the fork between the Rosetta and Damietta branches. Its capital is Shibin El Kom, about 75 km north of Cairo. CAPMAS estimated 4,736,945 people in mid-2023 across 2,499 km2. Monufia is the most rural governorate of the Delta, with only about one resident in ten in a fully urban district.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capital | Shibin El Kom |
| Population | 4,736,945 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023) |
| Population, 2017 census | 4,301,601 |
| Area | 2,499 km2 |
| Density | About 1,900 people per km2 |
| Districts | 9 markaz, plus 3 fully urban kism |
| Former capital | Menouf, until 1826 |
| Postal code (Shibin El Kom) | 32511 |
| Phone code | 048 |
Towns and Villages in Monufia Governorate
Monufia has nine markaz. The lists below carry 326 named towns and villages recorded in the national gazetteer. Each is grouped by the markaz whose centre it sits closest to. Places near a markaz boundary may fall administratively on the other side. Monufia also holds about 268 izab, the small farm hamlets named after the family that founded them. Those are counted per markaz rather than listed.
Ashmoun Markaz
Population 926,301 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). Ashmoun is the largest and southernmost markaz, reaching towards Giza. It holds 58 named villages and 52 izab.
- Abu Awali
- Abu Raqabah
- Al Barraniyah
- Al Faruniyah
- Al Ghunamiyah
- Al Hilwasi
- Al Injib
- Al Kawadi
- Al Khawr
- Al Qanatirin
- An Ninaiyah
- Ashmun
- Barashim
- Bawhat Shatanuf
- Dalhamu
- Darawah
- Jurays wa Izbatuha
- Kafr Abu Mahmud
- Kafr Abu Raqabah
- Kafr Ata
- Kafr Awn
- Kafr Hajras
- Kafr Mansur
- Kafr Mujahid
- Kafr Quras
- Kafr Sarawah
- Kafr Shatanuf
- Kafr al Badarnah
- Kafr al Gharib
- Kafr al Hima
- Kafr as Sayyid
- Kafr ash Shaykh Sarhan
- Kafr at Tarayinah
- Kawm Ayyad
- Mahallat Subk
- Manyal Arus
- Manyal Duwayb
- Manyal Juwaydah
- Minshat Jurays
- Mujayriyah
- Munsah
- Quras
- Ramlat al Injib
- Samadun
- Samalay
- Saqiyat Abu Sharah
- Sarawah
- Shanaway
- Shanshur
- Shatanuf
- Shisha
- Shushay
- Sihwaj
- Simman
- Sintiris
- Subk al Ahad
- Tahway
- Talya
Quweisna Markaz
Population 541,112 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). Quweisna sits on the eastern edge of the governorate and hosts a large industrial zone. It has 33 named villages and 18 izab.
- Ajhur ar Raml
- Al Ajayizah
- Ar Rimali
- Arab ar Raml
- Ashlim
- Bani Ghiryan
- Bujayrim
- Ibnahs
- Kafr Abduh
- Kafr Abu al Hasan
- Kafr Ashlim
- Kafr Bani Ghiryan
- Kafr Dahb
- Kafr Ibnahas
- Kafr Sulayman
- Kafr Tah Shubra
- Kafr al Akram
- Kafr al Arab al Qibli
- Kafr al Manshi al Qibli
- Kafr as Sallamiyah
- Kafr ash Shaykh Ibrahim
- Khilwat Nur ad Din
- Minshat Sabri
- Mit al Izz
- Munshaat Abd ar Rahmn Salim
- Munshaat Ramallu
- Mustay
- Quwaysina
- Shamandil
- Sharanis
- Shubra Qibalah
- Tah Shubra
- Umm Khunan
Shibin El Kom Markaz
Population 519,732 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). Shibin El Kom markaz surrounds the capital and the university. It has 40 named villages and 20 izab.
- Ad Dalatun
- Al Asalitah
- Al Batanun
- Al Izbah al Jadidah
- Al Kawm al Akhdar
- Al Musaylihah
- Almay
- Ar Rahib
- Bakhati
- Dakama
- Istubari
- Kafr Duqmaq
- Kafr Mit Siraj
- Kafr Sarsamus
- Kafr Shanawan
- Kafr Shunufah
- Kafr Tanbidi
- Kafr al Amirah
- Kafr al Batanun
- Kafr al Musaylihah
- Kafr ash Shaykh Khalil
- Milij
- Mit Abu Shaykhah
- Mit Khalaf
- Mit Khaqan wa Hissataha
- Mit Masud
- Mit Siraj
- Mit al Mawz
- Mit al Qasri
- Munshaat Bakhati
- Munshaat Shanawan
- Munshaat ash Sharikayn
- Salakah
- Shanawan
- Shibin al Kawm
- Shubra Bas
- Shunufah
- Tanbidi
- Tukh al Baraghitah
- Zuwayr wa Minshat Ibrahim Habashi
Menouf Markaz
Population 478,163 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). Menouf was the capital of Monufia until 1826 and gave the governorate its name. Its markaz holds 37 named villages and 61 izab.
- Al Amirah
- Al Hamul
- Al Ikhmas
- Al Kawm al Ahmar
- Al Khatatibah al Balad
- At Tarranah
- Bihwash
- Bilmisht
- Dibirki
- Dimlij
- Fisha al Kubra
- Ghamrin
- Jizayy
- Kafr Bilmisht
- Kafr Dimlij
- Kafr Fisha al Kubra
- Kafr Shubra Balulah
- Kafr Sinjirj
- Kafr Sulayman Salamah
- Kafr al Ishri
- Kafr el-Sanabsa
- Kamshush
- Lubayshah
- Minshat Ghamrin
- Munshaat Sultan
- Munuf
- Qaryat Barhim
- Sansaft
- Saqiyat al Manqadi
- Shamma
- Shubra Balulah
- Sinjirj
- Sirs al Layyanah
- Sudud
- Tamalay
- Tita
- Zawiyat Razin
El Bagour Markaz
Population 438,962 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). El Bagour lies south of Shibin El Kom on the road to Cairo. It has 59 named villages and 23 izab.
- Abshish
- Abu Sunaytah
- Al Atarishah
- Al Atf
- Al Bajur
- Al Baraniqah
- Al Jazirah ash Sharqiyah
- Al Kutamiyah
- Al Maqati
- Al Qarinayn
- Asrijah
- Bayy al Arab
- Bihnay
- Biqayrah
- Bir Shams
- Fisha as Sughra
- Hitt
- Ibkhas
- Istanha
- Jarawan
- Kafr Abshish
- Kafr Mahmud
- Kafr Manawahlah
- Kafr Shubra Zinji
- Kafr Sinjilf al Jadid
- Kafr Sinjilf al Qadim
- Kafr Subk
- Kafr Zayn ad Din
- Kafr ad Dawwar
- Kafr al Ajayzah
- Kafr al Bajur
- Kafr al Faruniyah
- Kafr al Ghunamiyah
- Kafr al Khadrah
- Kafr al Kutamiyah
- Kafr al Qarinayn
- Kafr ar Rammah
- Kafr el- Dawwar Ikyad
- Kawm ad Dab
- Manawahlah
- Manshiyat Umm Khinan
- Masjid al Khidr
- Mit Afif
- Mit Rabiah
- Mit al Bayda
- Mit al Wusta
- Munshaat Masjid Khidr
- Munshaat Sayf
- Mushayrif
- Qalata al Kubra
- Qalata as Sughra
- Shubra Khalfun
- Shubra Zinji
- Sinjilf
- Sirwuhayt
- Subk ad Dahhak
- Tilbant Abshish
- Tilwanah
- Zawiyat Jarwan
Tala Markaz
Population 425,546 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). Tala is the north-western markaz, bordering Gharbia. It has 39 named villages and 38 izab.
- Al Bindariyah
- Al Kamayishah
- Al Qalashi
- As Sukkariyah
- Babil
- Barawi
- Bimam
- Bitibs
- Jidam
- Kafr Askar
- Kafr Bitibs
- Kafr Hamam
- Kafr Janzur
- Kafr Mit Abu al Kawm
- Kafr Muhammad
- Kafr Qarshum
- Kafr Rabi
- Kafr Sanadid
- Kafr Tabluha
- Kafr al Alawi
- Kafr al Arab
- Kafr al Arab al Bahri
- Kafr al Qalashi
- Kafr as Sadat
- Kafr as Sukkariyah
- Kafr ash Shaykh Shihatah
- Kafr ash Shurafa al Gharbi
- Kawm ash Shaykh Ubayd
- Mit al Kiram
- Qashtukh
- Saft Jidam
- Samalij
- Shubra Bitush
- Tabluha
- Tala
- Tukh Dalakah
- Zawiyat Bimam
- Zinnarah
- Zurqan
El Shohada Markaz
Population 379,468 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). El Shohada, “the martyrs”, is named after the Denshawai hangings of 1906. It has 34 named villages and 52 izab.
- Abu Kullus
- Al Iraqiyah
- Amrus
- Ash Shuhada
- Ashma
- Bishtami
- Danasur
- Darajil
- Dinshaway
- Ibshadi
- Jazirat al Hajar
- Kafr Ashma
- Kafr Dinshaway
- Kafr Hijazi
- Kafr Zurqan
- Kafr al Jalabitah
- Kafr al Jammalah
- Kafr as Sawalimiyah
- Kafr ash Shaba
- Kamshish
- Kawm Mazin
- Mit Abu al Kawm
- Mit Shihalah
- Nadir
- Sahil al Jawabir
- Salamun Bahri
- Salamun Qibli
- Sarsamus
- Shabshir Tamalay
- Shumyatis
- Sirsina
- Tunub
- Zawiyat al Baqli
- Zawiyat an Naurah
Berket El Sabaa Markaz
Population 340,131 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). Berket El Sabaa lies between Shibin El Kom and the Qalyubia boundary. It has 26 named villages and 4 izab.
- Abu Mashhur
- Ad Dabayibah
- Al Ghuri
- Al Halamishah
- Birkat as Sab
- Diya al Kawm
- Hissat Milij
- Hurayn
- Janzur
- Kafr Hilal
- Kafr Hurayn
- Kafr Milij
- Kafr Nafrah al Bahri
- Kafr Ulaym
- Kafr al Hammadiyah
- Kafr ash Shaykh Sab ar Rijal
- Kafr ash Shaykh Tuayma
- Makhshiyah al Rafi
- Mit Afiyah
- Mit Faris
- Mit Musa
- Mit Umm Salih
- Qaryat ash Shahid Fikri
- Shintina al Hajar wa Hissitaha
- Tanbisha
- Tukh Tanbisha
Sadat City Markaz
Population 198,025 (CAPMAS estimate, mid-2023). Sadat City is a planned new city founded in 1978 on the desert edge west of the Delta. It is roughly 90 km from Cairo on the Desert Road. It is laid out in numbered residential districts around an industrial zone and Sadat City University. The gazetteer records no traditional villages here. The surrounding land is reclamation farmland worked from the city itself.
Geography
Monufia occupies the apex of the Delta, the triangle of land where the Nile divides at Qanater into the Rosetta and Damietta branches. The Rosetta branch runs along its western edge and the Bahr Shibin and Ismailia canal systems cross the middle. Apart from the desert margin around Sadat City in the far west, every part of the governorate is irrigated farmland.
It borders Gharbia to the north, Qalyubia to the east, Giza to the south, and Beheira to the west and north-west.
Demographics
The population rose from 4,301,601 at the 2017 census to 4,736,945 by mid-2023. Density averages about 1,900 people per km2. On the cultivated land it is much higher, because the desert around Sadat City takes a large share of the surface and holds few people.
Only three districts are classed as fully urban: the kism of Shibin El Kom, the kism of Menouf and Sers El Layyan. Together they held about 490,000 people in 2023, roughly one in ten residents. Monufia has long sent workers to Cairo, Alexandria and the Gulf, and remittances and daily commuting shape household income across the villages.
Economy and Local Life
Farm holdings in Monufia are among the smallest in Egypt, often under one feddan. That pushes growers towards high-value crops. Potatoes, grapes, guava, citrus and vegetables go north to Alexandria and south to the Cairo wholesale markets. Monufia is a major national supplier of table grapes and guava.
Industry is concentrated in two places. The Quweisna industrial zone makes electronics, cables, pharmaceuticals and food products, and Sadat City hosts chemical, plastics and building-materials plants on the desert edge. Sers El Layyan is known for its textile and knitting workshops. Monufia University in Shibin El Kom, founded in 1976, is the largest single employer in the capital.
History
Menouf served as the provincial capital until 1826, when the seat moved to Shibin El Kom, and the governorate still carries the older town’s name. In June 1906 British officers shooting pigeons at the village of Denshawai clashed with farmers. Four villagers were hanged and others flogged. The episode became a turning point in Egyptian nationalist politics. The markaz containing the village was later renamed El Shohada, the martyrs.
Two Egyptian presidents came from Monufia villages. Anwar Sadat was born at Mit Abu El Kom in El Shohada markaz, Hosni Mubarak at Kafr El Meselha near Shibin El Kom. The village of Kamshish gave its name to the 1966 land-reform dispute that followed the killing of the activist Salah Hussein.
Getting There
Shibin El Kom is about 75 km from Cairo by the Cairo-Alexandria Agricultural Road. That road runs the length of the governorate through Quweisna and Berket El Sabaa. The Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road passes Sadat City in the west. Rail service reaches Shibin El Kom, Menouf and Quweisna on branch lines off the Cairo-Tanta main line, and trains from Cairo take about ninety minutes.
Microbuses run all day from Cairo’s Abboud terminal to Shibin El Kom, Ashmoun and Menouf, and between every markaz town and its villages.
FAQ
What is the capital of Monufia Governorate?
Shibin El Kom, which has been the seat since 1826 and is home to Monufia University.
How many towns and villages are in Monufia?
This page lists 326 named towns and villages across the markaz. Monufia also holds roughly 268 izab, the small family-named farm hamlets.
What is the population of Monufia Governorate?
CAPMAS estimated 4,736,945 people in mid-2023. The 2017 census counted 4,301,601.
Which president was born in Monufia?
Both Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak were born in Monufia villages, Sadat at Mit Abu El Kom and Mubarak at Kafr El Meselha.
What is the postal code for Shibin El Kom?
Shibin El Kom’s main postal code is 32511. Egypt assigns five-digit codes by district, so each markaz town has its own.
How many markaz does Monufia have?
Nine: Ashmoun, Quweisna, Shibin El Kom, Menouf, El Bagour, Tala, El Shohada, Berket El Sabaa and Sadat City.