The Situation in the governorate of Qena in 1999

Essential Facts

Social Development

Economic Activities

Generally speaking, Qena was one of the most poverty-stricken governorates of Egypt.

High percentage of unemployment

The percentage of illiterates among the adult population reached 50%

High percentage of population growth. The general fertility rate reached more than 125 live births per 1000 females, and the percentage of females who used family planning methods was 43%.

Dominance of tribalism and fanaticism

There were only four sugar factories in the governorate: in 1869, the first sugar factory was established in Armant, and in 1976 the last was established in Deshna. In addition, the Nagaa Hamadi aluminum factory was constructed in 1977

Unutilized mineral wealth (phosphate- limestone- argillaceous rocks- sand- aggregate- marble- granite)

Lack of practice of the craft activities for which Qena was once famous (Farakah- Pottery- Porcelain- wood)

Agricultural Activities

Tourism Activities

Agricultural lands with an area amounting to 333 thousand feddans, in addition to reclaimable land with area amounting to almost 352 thousand feddans

Fragmented agricultural properties; 71% of the owners own less than one feddan

Neglected significant archeological sites, and unorganized hantoor (carriage) stations even in the yard of the Sidi Abed Al Rahim Al Qenai Mosque, and in the main squares

Lack of entertainment hangouts or shopping malls

Qena suffered from the absence of the main tourism attraction element after separating the city of Luxor from it

Urban Activities

Worn out infrastructure: water supply systems installed since 1975, a sanitary drainage network that exists in only one part of a single city, and unpaved streets, save for the main Capital roads.

Dim street lighting, and roadway lighting fixtures without lamps.

Numerous transgressions on the State's properties.

Numerous haphazard areas and workshops everywhere. All types of environmental pollution abounding in the governorate.

Street and pavement occupancies, to the extent that some areas are inaccessible even by the police such as Al-Sahreeg Street which was blocked due to the shops and buildings haphazardly constructed in the middle of the road.

Accumulation of garbage due to the absence of a sound solid waste management system; the worn out cleaning equipment; and the shortage in janitors.

Houses built with adobes or red bricks, and left unpainted, not even the facades.