1. Overview
Damietta Governorate (Dumyat) is a coastal jewel located in the northeastern corner of the Nile Delta. It is a place of immense strategic and economic importance, home to one of Egypt's oldest and most active ports. Globally, Damietta is synonymous with its exquisite furniture manufacturing industry, often called the "Furniture Capital of the Middle East." It also features the unique summer resort of Ras El Bar, a triangular piece of land where the Nile River finally ends its journey and meets the Mediterranean Sea (El-Lisan).
• Location: Northeastern Nile Delta, Mediterranean Coast.
• Capital: Damietta City.
• Key Cities: Ras El Bar, New Damietta, Faraskur, El-Zarqa.
• Famous For: Furniture, Ras El Bar Resort, Fishing Fleet, Damietta Port.
• Population: Approx. 1.6 Million.
2. Name & Origin of Damietta
The name "Damietta" derives from the ancient Egyptian name Tamiat, which meant "the place of the tie" or "anchorage," reflecting its role as a harbor. In Coptic, it was known as Tamiati, and the Greeks called it Tamiathis. Throughout history, the name has been associated with water, binding the river to the sea, and serving as a gateway for trade and naval defense.
3. Historical Timeline
Damietta was a settlement of fishermen and sailors in the 17th Nome of Lower Egypt. While less prominent than nearby Tanis, it was a crucial observation point for guarding the northeastern maritime approaches to Egypt.
Known as Tamiathis, the city grew as an active port. It flourished due to the agricultural wealth of the Delta and its position on the Phatnitic (Damietta) branch of the Nile, facilitating trade with the Mediterranean civilizations.
Christianity took firm root in the coastal towns. Damietta became a bishopric see. During this era, the local population built numerous churches, and the Coptic language was the language of the markets and the liturgy. The region produced textiles and linen, industries that would later evolve into its modern crafts.
Damietta became a fortress city of paramount importance. It was the primary target of the Fifth and Seventh Crusades because capturing Damietta was seen as the key to conquering Egypt. The city was besieged and captured multiple times but was notably liberated in 1250 AD, marking the end of the Seventh Crusade and the capture of King Louis IX.
After the Mamluks destroyed the old fortifications to prevent Crusaders from using them, the city was rebuilt slightly to the south. Under the Ottomans, it regained its status as a commercial hub, exporting rice, coffee, and textiles. Artisan guilds began to form, laying the groundwork for the furniture industry.
In the 19th century, the furniture industry began to formalize. Ras El Bar was discovered as a summer retreat in the 1820s. In 1986, the new Damietta Port was inaugurated, reviving its role as a global maritime hub. New Damietta City was established to accommodate urban expansion.
4. Geography & Climate
Damietta is a peninsula-like governorate bordered by the Mediterranean to the north and Lake Manzala to the east. The Damietta branch of the Nile cuts through it, creating fertile banks. The climate is a typical Mediterranean coastal climate: humid and mild in summer, with rain in winter. This weather is particularly beneficial for the wood drying processes needed for furniture making.
5. Population & Society
The people of Damietta (Domyata) are known for being distinctively industrious, conservative, and frugal. The society is built around the concept of the "family workshop." Almost every household is involved in production, whether furniture, dairy, or fishing. Unemployment rates are traditionally among the lowest in Egypt due to this strong artisan culture.
6. Administrative Divisions
- Damietta City: The capital and commercial hub.
- Ras El Bar: The coastal resort city.
- New Damietta: An urban extension hosting the university and port.
- Faraskur: A historic agricultural town.
- Kafr Saad: An agricultural center.
- El-Zarqa: Famous for its educated population.
- Ezbet El-Borg: The center of the fishing industry.
7. Damietta City – Capital
The capital city sits on the east bank of the Nile. It is a buzzing hive of activity, dominated by furniture showrooms and workshops. The city retains some historic Ottoman mosques, like the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque (the second mosque built in Egypt, though rebuilt many times) and the Al-Maainy Mosque.
8. Furniture Manufacturing (A Defining Identity)
Damietta is the Furniture Capital of the Middle East. The industry dates back centuries but exploded in the modern era.
- Craftsmanship: Domyati furniture is world-renowned for its intricate wood carving (Oima), gilding (Mathab), and durability.
- Scale: There are thousands of small and medium workshops. 80% of the workforce is employed in wood-related industries.
- Damietta Furniture City: A massive new national project aimed at modernizing the industry, creating a dedicated industrial zone with state-of-the-art technology and export facilities.
9. Ras El Bar – Where Two Seas Meet
Ras El Bar is a unique geographical marvel situated on a triangle of land.
El-Lisan (The Tongue): This is the specific point where the fresh waters of the Nile meet the salt waters of the Mediterranean. A concrete promenade and lighthouse mark this spot, offering breathtaking views.
The Resort: Historically a summer retreat for pashas and artists, it is known for its "Asha" (huts) and urban planning. It remains a popular, family-oriented summer destination.
10. Economy of Damietta
The economy is robust and diversified:
1. Industry: Furniture leads, followed by shipbuilding, dairy products (Domiaty Cheese), and sweets (Meshabbek).
2. Fishing: Damietta possesses Egypt's largest fishing fleet (Ezbet El-Borg), contributing 60% of the nation's marine catch.
3. Logistics: The Damietta Port is a major container terminal and a hub for gas exports (LNG).
11. Ports & Trade
Damietta Port is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean. It handles millions of tons of cargo annually, including grain, timber (for the furniture industry), and petrochemicals. The port is connected to a free zone and logistics centers, linking Egypt to European and Asian markets.
12. Transportation & Connectivity
The governorate is connected to the International Coastal Road, linking it to Port Said in the east and Alexandria in the west. The Nile serves as a transport artery for barges. A railway line connects Damietta to Cairo and the Delta network, crucial for moving passengers and freight.
13. Culture, Traditions & Daily Life
The culture is defined by work ethic and craft. Children often learn woodworking skills from a young age in family workshops. The cuisine is distinct; Domiaty Cheese (a salty white cheese) and Meshabbek (a circular, syrup-soaked sweet) are national favorites originating here. The coastal lifestyle influences the diet, which is rich in seafood.
14. Culinary Heritage of Damietta
Damietta is famous across Egypt for its unique sweets and dairy products:
- Meshabbek: The signature sweet of Damietta. A round, crunchy, deep-fried dough soaked in thick syrup. No visit to Damietta is complete without buying it.
- Domiaty Cheese: The most famous white cheese in Egypt. It is soft, salty, and stored in tins with brine, often aged to become "Gibna Qadima" (Old Cheese).
- Domiaty Ducks: A traditional meal often served with "Roz Moammar" (baked rice with milk and cream).
15. Notable Figures from Damietta
Damietta has produced distinguished figures in science, literature, and sports:
- Dr. Zahi Hawass: World-renowned archaeologist and Egyptologist, former Minister of Antiquities.
- Dr. Ali Moustafa Mosharafa: A brilliant theoretical physicist, often called the "Einstein of the Arabs". He contributed to the theory of relativity.
- Essam El-Hadary: Legendary goalkeeper for the Egyptian National Team, celebrated as one of the best in African history.
- Aisha Abd al-Rahman (Bint al-Shati): A prominent writer and professor of literature.
- Farouk Shousha: Famous poet and radio presenter, guardian of the Arabic language.
16. Ezbet El-Borg: The City of Ships
Located on the eastern bank of the Nile, opposite Ras El Bar, Ezbet El-Borg is home to the largest fishing fleet in Egypt. It is a city dedicated to the sea, famous for its shipyards that manufacture fishing trawlers and yachts exported to countries like Greece and Saudi Arabia. The city's economy revolves entirely around fishing and maritime industries.
17. Tourism & Heritage Value
Tourism is a mix of leisure and history:
- Ras El Bar: For beach holidays and sunset walks at El-Lisan.
- Furniture Shopping Tourism: Thousands of Egyptians travel to Damietta specifically to buy furniture for their homes and weddings.
- Religious Tourism: Visiting the historic mosques like Amr Ibn Al-Aas (built 642 AD) and the Coptic Church of St. George and St. Nicholas.
18. Environmental & Development Challenges
Coastal erosion at Ras El Bar is a major challenge, mitigated by wave breakers. Balancing the heavy industrial activity (furniture painting and petrochemicals) with environmental protection is ongoing. The "Black Sand" separation projects are also active along the coast.
19. Damietta’s Role in the Nile Delta
Damietta is the Delta's maritime gateway. It serves as the export hub for Delta products and the import hub for raw materials (timber). It is the industrial workshop of the region, providing employment and keeping traditional crafts alive.
20. Fun Facts About Damietta
21. Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Damietta famous for furniture?
Where does the Nile meet the Mediterranean?
Is Ras El Bar a seasonal resort?
22. References & Sources
- Damietta Governorate Official Portal.
- Damietta Port Authority (DPA).
- "The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land" (References the Siege of Damietta).
- Chamber of Woodworking & Furniture Industries.