Belqas (Arabic: بلقاس, pronounced [belˈʔæːs]) is a town located in the north-western corner of the Dakahlia Governorate in Egypt.

Belqas
بلقاس
Belqas is located in Egypt
Belqas
Belqas
Location in Egypt
Coordinates: 31°14′N 31°22′E / 31.233°N 31.367°E / 31.233; 31.367
Country Egypt
GovernorateDakahlia
Area
 • Total280.2 sq mi (725.7 km2)
Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total558,412
 • Density2,000/sq mi (770/km2)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EST)
Postal Code
35631

Etymology

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The towns older name is al-Mima wa-l-Maaskar (Arabic: الميما والمعسكر, lit.'the Mima and the military camp') points out that the modern name probably comes from Ancient Greek: φυλακῆς, romanizedphylakes, lit.'of garrison, military camp'. It is also a site of the old Coptic monastery called Deir al-Mema or Deir al-Askar.[2]

Economy

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One part of the town's economy is the resort of Gamasa. The town also depends on its natural gas fields in the region of Abu Mady. Belqas remains a mainly agricultural region, although it contains some industrial activities such as sugar, rice and plastic productions.

Belqas also depends on its car maintenance and restoration facility, restoring vehicles to factory standards (especially for the Peugot and Mercedes Benz).

Location

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Belqas is located near the city of Mansoura and the town of Gamasa. Belqas is in the governorates of Dakahlia and Kafr el-Sheikh, and is located in the center of Sherbin, Garaida, Talkha and Gamasa. Belqas is located on the coordinates 31°14′00″N 31°22′00″E / 31.23333°N 31.36667°E / 31.23333; 31.36667.

Sites of interest

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Belqas is home to ancient palaces and villas which were once owned by princes and merchants. One of these tourist attractions in the jurisdictions of Belqas is the Coptic Orthodox monastery of Saint Demiana.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bilqās (Markaz, Egypt) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  2. ^ Stefan, Timm (1988). Das christlich-koptische Agypten in arabischer Zeit. p. 680.