The capital is the city of Minya (Al-Minya), located on the west bank of the Nile.
Nickname: "The Bride of Upper Egypt" – due to its strategic location as a bridge between Northern and Southern Egypt.
Economy and daily life: Strongly agricultural: cotton, sugarcane, wheat, corn, onions, dates, and beans.
Industry: Cotton processing, sugar refineries, flour mills, carpet weaving.
Important trade and administrative center.
History and culture: Very rich in antiquities (less touristy than Luxor or Giza, but spectacular): Beni Hassan: beautiful rock tombs with murals from the Middle Kingdom.
Tell el-Amarna: capital of Pharaoh Akhenaten (monotheistic revolution with the sun god Aten).
Tuna el-Gebel and Hermopolis (ancient city of the god Thoth).
Greco-Roman and early Christian remains.
One of the highest percentages of Coptic Christians in Egypt (often around 35–50% in the region), with many ancient churches and monasteries.
In short: Al Minya is an underrated gem with a mix of fertile Nile agriculture, enormous historical treasures from the pharaonic period (especially the Middle Kingdom and Amarna period), and a large Coptic community – ideal for those seeking authenticity without mass tourism.
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