New Valley Governorate

New Valley Governorate is one of the governorates of Egypt. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, in Egypt's Western Desert, part of the Sahara Desert – between the Nile, northern Sudan, and southeastern Libya.

Consisting of roughly a third of Egypt's area, the New Valley Governorate is the country's largest governorate and one of the biggest on the African continent. The capital is at the Kharga Oasis.

Population

According to population estimates from 2015 the majority of residents in the governorate live in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 48.0%. Out of an estimated 225,416 people residing in the governorate, 117,180 people live in rural areas as opposed to only 108,236 in urban areas.

Cities

• Kharga
• Mut

Industrial zones

According to the Egyptian Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in affiliation with the Ministry of Investment (MOI), the following industrial zones are located in this governorate:

• Al Kharga
• Heavy industrial zone - El Dakhla
• Heavy industrial zone - Wadi Waer West

History

2011 Egyptian revolution

Violent clashes were reported in the New Valley Governorate on February 8–9, 2011 as part of the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Protesters set fire to police stations and the NDP - National Democratic Party building. Multiple deaths were reported in addition to hundreds of injuries amid claims that the police opened fire on protesters in Kharga Oasis with live ammunition.

Major oases

• Kharga
• Farafra
• Dakhla
• Baris

Industry

• Manufacturing of palm dates.
• Tourism and Safaris
• Agricultural activities (around Oases)