El Ayyat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Ayyat
العياط
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 El Ayyat
Location in Egypt
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| Country |  Egypt |
| Governorate | Giza |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 44,171 |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EST) |
El Ayyat (pronounced El-Eye-yat) is a city located in the Giza Governorate in Egypt. In 2018, about 44,000 people lived there.
Contents
Why is it Called El Ayyat?
The city was once known as Kafr al-Ayyat. The word "Ayyat" comes from an Egyptian Arabic word meaning "he who cries."
There's an old story about how the city got its name. It says that during a journey through Egypt, a baby made a person unable to move. This person then cried a lot. People came to see this amazing event. Because of this, the place became known as "Ayyat."
Where is El Ayyat Located?
El Ayyat is in the southern part of the Giza Governorate. To its east is the famous Nile River. The Faiyum Governorate is to its west. To the north is the Badrashein area, and to the south is the Al-Wasta area in the Beni Suef Governorate.
Villages in El Ayyat
The El Ayyat area includes many villages, around 39 in total. Some of these villages are Al-Ayat Al-Danaweh, Kafr Al-Rifai, Al-Naseriya, and Kafr Barakat.
A Look at El Ayyat's History
Near El Ayyat is the ancient village of Lisht. This place was once the capital of ancient Egypt during the Middle Kingdom period. Back then, it was called “It-Tawy,” which means "holding on the two lands."
This area is part of the famous ancient burial ground of Memphis. It stretches about 50 kilometers south of Cairo.
Royal Tombs and Pyramids
King Amenemhat I built his special complex here. It included a valley temple, a road, a funerary temple, and his pyramid. Important officials of his time also had tombs nearby.
Later, his son, King Senusret I, also built his own complex. This included a valley temple, a road, a funerary temple, and his pyramid.
Protecting Ancient Sites
Today, there's a project to lower the water level underground. This helps protect the royal burial chambers inside the pyramids. They are also working to restore old writings in a tomb belonging to a high priest named Senusret Ankh. These writings contain many ancient spells and texts.
Archaeologists have found new tombs, like the grave of "Het Hatab." Experts believe that much more history from the Middle Kingdom is still hidden in this region.
What About El Ayyat's Economy?
Local Industries
El Ayyat has a factory that makes oils and soaps. There are plans to build a larger industrial area in the desert part of El Ayyat, between El Ayyat and Fayyoum.
Public Services
Like many places, El Ayyat faces challenges with public services. These include issues with water, sanitation, and not enough transportation options for its residents.
Getting Around El Ayyat
People can travel between El Ayyat and Cairo using microbuses or by train. Only the slower trains stop at the local railway station.
The El Ayyat area has unfortunately seen several serious train accidents. Some of the most well-known include:
- The Upper Egypt train fire in 2002
- A train collision in 2009
- An incident in Bled, Blida, on January 31, 2016
