Faiyum is one of Egypt’s governorates, with its capital being the city of Faiyum, and it represents the largest natural oasis in the country. The governorate is located in Upper Egypt’s northern region, which includes Faiyum, Beni Suef, and Minya, and lies centrally among Egypt’s middle governorates: Giza, Beni Suef, and Minya. The desert surrounds the governorate on all sides except the southeast, which connects to Beni Suef.
Faiyum is famous for its many natural sites, including Qarun Lake Nature Reserve, Wadi El-Rayan Reserve, and Wadi Al-Hitan Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also features a moderate climate and proximity to Cairo. The governorate possesses a diverse range of Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic monuments, making it a prominent Egyptian tourist destination. Faiyum celebrates its national day on March 15 every year, commemorating the people of Faiyum’s stand against the British occupation during the 1919 Revolution, led by Hamd Pasha Al-Basel.