The Faiyum Oasis

Inhabited since prehistoric times, the Faiyum is considered to be Egypt's largest oasis, though it is not a real oasis since it is fed by Bahr Yusuf, a branch of the Nile. Lake Qarun in the northwest of the Faiyum is now one fifth of its original size; it was likely teeming with crocodiles in antiquity, and Sobek the crocodile god was worshipped here as the main god. Historically, the area reached its peak in the Middle Kingdom during the 12th dynasty when Amenemhat I transferred the royal seat from Thebes to the north of Egypt, where it remained for 400 years. During this period, large areas of fertile land Lake Qarun were reclaimed for agriculture. Under the New Kingdom, the Faiyum became less important, however the Ptolemies realized its potential and developed it. The best-preserved historic remains are from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. It was a favorite hunting and fishing ground of the Pharaohs, with a large variety of animals. At the end of the Roman period, the area declined though a large Coptic community remained here and Islam arrived long after. it came to the rest of Egypt. The Faiyum began to flourish again under Mohamed Ali in the 19th century. Today, as in ancient times, this fertile area is mainly agricultural providing grain, fruit and vegetables for Cairo and the surrounding area.

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