el Minya, is the capital city of the Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt. скачать в хорошем качестве

el Minya, is the capital city of the Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt.

Minya, also known as el Minya, is the capital city of the Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt. It is situated on the western bank of the Nile River, approximately 245 kilometers (152 miles) south of Cairo. Minya has a rich history and is often referred to as the "Bride of Upper Egypt" due to its strategic location as a vital link between the northern and southern regions of Egypt. The city has a significant Coptic Christian population, accounting for approximately 50% of the total population [2]. It is home to Minya University, the Suzanne Mubarak Center for Arts, the new Minya Museum, and the regional North of Upper Egypt Radio and Television. Minya derives its name from its Coptic counterpart, which can be rendered as ⲧⲙⲱⲛⲏ in Bohairic and ⲧⲙⲟⲟⲛⲉ in Sahidic. The Coptic name, in turn, is derived from the Ancient Greek word "μονή" (monē), meaning "stopping-place, station, monastery" [4]. Throughout history, Minya has been an important center of trade and commerce. During ancient times, it served as a provincial capital and trade hub, located on a route to the Red Sea, which facilitated trade with Levantine traders carrying goods from Sinai and Canaan [5]. The city has witnessed various periods of Egyptian history. During the Old Kingdom, it emerged as a center of trade and prosperity, and the rulers of the Oryx nome (the ancient name for Minya) enjoyed a certain level of autonomy. The 11th Dynasty marked the peak of their power [6]. Minya also holds archaeological significance. The limestone cliffs in the eastern desert near the city are home to the Beni Hasan tombs. These rock-cut tombs, though not as grand as the pyramids, provide valuable insights into daily life in ancient Egypt [8]. During the Greco-Roman period, Minya became a significant settlement for Greek settlers, hosting a population of 20,000 to 40,000 inhabitants. It thrived as a center of Egyptian cotton trade and was inhabited by Greek and Roman cotton barons and traders [9]. The Byzantine era saw the establishment of the Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Gebel el-Teir, an important Christian site associated with the Holy Family's Flight into Egypt. Oxyrhynchus, another nearby city, served as an administrative center and is renowned for its archaeological discoveries, particularly papyri from Byzantine Egypt. In the Arab period, Minya gained prominence under the rule of Ibn Khasib, a benevolent and renowned ruler of Egypt in the early 9th century. Ibn Khasib's fondness for Minya led to its expansion from a large village to a thriving medieval city [11]. Today, Minya continues to be an important cultural and educational center in Upper Egypt, preserving its rich heritage while contributing to the country's development. #egypt #cairo #Minya