Beni Suef

Government

Beni Suef, also Bani Suwayf, Beni Sueif, Beni Swaif, Beni Sweif and Beni Suaif ( Coptic Ⲡ ⲁ ⲛ ⲓ ⲥ ⲱ ϥ panisuf; Arabic بني سويف, DMG Banī Suef ) is the left bank of the Nile and about 115 km south of Cairo, capital city of the Beni Suef governorate, Egypt.

Beni Suef is an important agricultural center, which has developed from a small village at the end of the 19th century and now has a population of 218 472 ( 2008 calculation ); 211 173 inhabitants ( 2006 census ). Originally famous for its linen manufactures in the Middle Ages, dominate here today especially cotton spinning and carpet manufacturing. Also, the alabaster, which is mined in the nearby hills the area is known.

In the vicinity of Bani Suef the Meidum Pyramid and the Fayum oasis lie. 15 km west of Beni Suef also located the mound of an ancient Egyptian city, which was called by the Greeks as Herakleopolis Magna.