Suez Governorate

Suez Governorate (محافظة السويس Muḥāfāzah as-Suways) is one of the governorates of Egypt. It is located in the north-eastern part of the country and is coterminous with the city of Suez. It is situated north of the Gulf of Suez.

The Suez Governorate is one of the most urbanized regions in Egypt, alongside Cairo and Port Said. The governorate hosts several industrial zones, including zones for light and heavy industries, as well as new urban community industrial zones. A notable development is the agreement between Russia and Egypt in mid-2018 for the establishment of a Russian Industrial Zone within the governorate.

Suez is also home to five significant ports: Ain Sokhna port, Suez port, Adabeya port, petrol basin port, and El-Atka fishing port. These ports play a role in the governorate's economy, which is bolstered by natural resources such as limestone, clay, coal, petroleum, marble, and lime. The region's chief export is papayas.

Tourism is an important sector in Suez Governorate, with attractions like Ain Sokhna, known for its recreational and medical facilities, Moses' springs, and Judaic Hill at El-Khoor. Additionally, the Suez Public Free Zone, established in 1975, further enhances the economic landscape, being divided between Suez Port and Adabeya.

Municipal divisions
The governorate is divided into the following municipal divisions for administrative purposes, with a total estimated population as of January 2023 of 788,421.

Population
According to population estimates, in 2015 all 622,859 residents of the governorate lived in urban areas. With an urbanization rate of 100% the Suez Governorate is one of the most urbanized in the country, along with Cairo and Port Said.

Industrial zones
According to the Egyptian Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in affiliation with the Ministry of Investment (MOI), the following industrial zones are located in this governorate:
 * The industrial zone for light industries
 * North Ataka heavy industrial zone
 * West ataka heavy industrial zone
 * (New urban community industrial zones) Ataka and its expansions
 * (New urban community industrial zones) South of the Sumed - Petrochemicals

In mid-2018 an agreement was made between Russia and Egypt for the development of a Russian Industrial Zone.

Ports
There are five ports in the Suez Governorate; namely Ain Sokhna port, Suez port, Adabeya port, petrol basin port, and El-Atka fishing port.

Natural resources
Natural resources in the Suez Governorate include limestone, clay, coal, petroleum, marble, and lime.

Exports
The chief exports of Suez are papayas.

Tourist attractions

 * Ain Sokhna, a well known recreational and medical destination.
 * Moses' springs
 * Judaic Hill at El-Khoor

Public Free Zone
In 1975, the Suez Public Free Zone was established. It is divided between two main locations: Suez Port and Adabeya.