Damietta, Egypt

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Damietta, Egypt

Region: Damietta

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Geographic Coordinates: 31.416700, 31.821400

Climate: Dry and hot summers, mild winters with occasional rainfall.

Population: 206664

Language: Arabic

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Damietta, Located in the Nile Delta region of Egypt, Is a small port city with a rich history dating back to ancient times. It has been an important center for trade and commerce since the Pharaonic era and is now known for its bustling port, Beautiful beaches, And historic landmarks. One of Damietta’s most notable landmarks is the Al-Fateh Mosque. This stunning mosque was built during the Fatimid era in 1080 AD and features intricate geometric designs and colorful mosaics. The mosque also contains a rare collection of Islamic manuscripts that date back to the 12th century.

Damietta’s beautiful beaches are another popular attraction. The city sits on the Mediterranean Sea, Providing plenty of opportunities for swimming, Sunbathing, And water sports. Ras El-Bar Beach is particularly popular due to its crystal clear waters and soft white sand. For history enthusiasts, Damietta has several museums worth visiting. The Museum of Antiquities houses artifacts from ancient Egyptian times as well as items from more recent historical periods such as Ottoman rule. Another interesting museum is the Museum of Folk Life which showcases traditional crafts such as pottery making and weaving.

Foodies will enjoy exploring Damietta’s culinary scene which features delicious seafood dishes such as grilled fish served with tahini sauce or shrimp cooked with garlic butter sauce. One must-try dish when visiting this city is Feseekh – salted mullet fish that Egyptians traditionally eat during Sham El Nessim holiday. but not leastly , Damietta’s location makes it an ideal base for exploring other nearby attractions such as Rosetta (Rashid) or Alexandria .

Rosetta was once an important trading center during medieval times while Alexandria offers visitors a glimpse into Egypt’s Greco-Roman past through its many historic sites including Pompey’s Pillar, The Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa and the Alexandria Library. Damietta is a city that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, Culture, Food or simply soaking up some sun on the beach – this city has it all. With its rich history and stunning natural beauty, It’s no wonder that Damietta continues to be a popular destination for tourists from around the world.

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1. Al-Fateh Mosque
2. Damietta Museum
3. Ras El-Bar Beach
4. The Old City of Damietta (Medieval Quarter)
5. The Nile Corniche
6. Al-Hakim Mosque and Madrasa
7. The House of Ibn Khaldun
8. Fish Market
9. Abu El-Mahasen Mosque and Tomb
10. Qaitbay Castle in Ras El-Bar

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• The major industries and businesses in Damietta, Egypt are:
1. Furniture manufacturing
2. Textile manufacturing
3. Agriculture
4. Fishing
5. Shipping
6. Tourism
7. Chemicals manufacturing
• Damietta is well-known for:
• High-quality furniture industry that produces a wide range of products such as sofas, chairs, tables and cabinets
• Thriving textile industry that produces fabrics for clothing and home furnishings
• Located in the fertile Nile Delta region of Egypt, Damietta has:
• A significant agricultural sector that produces crops such as rice, cotton wheat and citrus fruits
• An active fishing industry due to its location on the Mediterranean Sea
• Damietta Port is one of the largest ports in Egypt which handles cargo shipments from around the world making shipping another important business sector within the city.
• Tourism is also an essential part of Damietta’s economy with several historical landmarks including mosques, museums and ancient ruins attracting tourists from all over the world.
• Lastly, there are several chemical factories in Damietta that produce fertilizers, pesticides and other chemical products used in agriculture.

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Noteable History

1. The Battle of Damietta occurred in 1219 during the Fifth Crusade, led by King John of Brienne and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. They successfully captured Damietta from the Ayyubid dynasty.
2. Saint Francis of Assisi visited Damietta during the same crusade and attempted to convert Sultan Al-Kamil to Christianity.
3. Ibn al-Nafis, a famous Arab physician born in Damietta in 1210, is known for his work on pulmonary circulation which was later rediscovered by William Harvey.
4. In 1250, the Mamluk Sultanate under Aybak captured Damietta from the Crusaders and made it their capital until they moved it to Cairo.
5. During his campaign in Egypt in 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte also captured Damietta from the Ottomans.
6. French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps began construction on the Suez Canal at Port Said near Damietta back in 1858.
7. Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser visited Damietta back in 1963 to inaugurate a new bridge over Nile River that connects it with Mansoura city.
8. In January 2011, protests erupted across Egypt including in Damietta as part of a nationwide uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak after three decades of power.
9. Ahmed Shawki was an Egyptian poet who was born on October 17th, 1868. He’s considered one of Egypt’s most prominent poets.

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Museums and Things To See

1. The Al-Fath Mosque
2. The House of El-Sheikh El-Nasr Museum
3. The Fort of Damietta
4. The Al-Adaweya Mosque
5. The Damietta Cultural Center
6. The Al-Azhar Park
7. The El-Mahrousa Ship Museum
8. Al-Asmak Castle (Fisheries Museum)
9. Ibn Khaldun Square and Statue
10. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

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Cultural Events

1. The Moulid of El Sayed El Badawy is a religious festival that honors Sheikh El Badawy, a highly respected Sufi saint in Damietta.
2. The International Festival for Traditional and Folkloric Arts is an annual event that showcases traditional music, dance, and handicrafts from different regions of Egypt and other countries.
3. The National Festival for Theatre and Performing Arts brings together theatre groups from all over Egypt to perform plays in various genres such as drama, comedy, and musicals.
4. The Damietta Book Fair takes place every December featuring local publishers as well as international authors presenting their latest works.
5. The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on June 1st each year to commemorate the journey of Mary, Joseph and Jesus through Egypt when they fled persecution in Palestine.
6. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with festive celebrations including feasting with family and friends after fasting for a month during daylight hours.
7. Eid al-Adha is another important Islamic holiday celebrated worldwide by Muslims to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at Allah’s commandment towards the end of Hajj (pilgrimage) season where Muslims travel to Mecca for religious observances.
8. Coptic Christmas Eve Celebration occurs on January 7th with prayers at church followed by festive feasting at home with family members or friends who come over to share a meal together after midnight mass services are held around town churches all night long until dawn breaks out on Christmas day morning.

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Cuisine

Traditional Dishes in Damietta

1. Fattah: a dish made of rice, bread, and meat broth topped with tomato sauce and fried onions.
2. Molokhia: a stew made from the leaves of the molokhia plant, usually served with rice or bread.
3. Fish dishes: Damietta is known for its fresh seafood, particularly grilled fish.
4. Mahshi: stuffed vegetables such as eggplant or peppers filled with rice and meat.
5. Ful medames: a traditional Egyptian breakfast dish made from fava beans served with vegetables and bread.

Popular Restaurants in Damietta

1. Al Gomaa Restaurant which specializes in seafood dishes including grilled fish and shrimp.
2. El Basha Restaurant serves traditional Egyptian dishes such as koshari (a mix of lentils, rice, pasta, and tomato sauce) and ful medames.
3. El Khedewy Restaurant offers a variety of local cuisine including fattah and mahshi.
4. Al Mawlawi Restaurant is known for its delicious molokhia stew served with chicken or rabbit meat.
5. Abu Ali Cafe & Restaurant serves traditional Egyptian breakfast items like ful medames along with sandwiches and salads for lunch or dinner options.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Al-Azhar Park
2. Damietta Public Park
3. El-Mahrousa Garden
4. Al-Masa’ad Park
5. Al-Rawda Garden
6. Corniche El-Nil (Nile River Walkway)
7. Damietta Stadium (for sports activities)
8. Fishing trips on the Nile River
9. Boat tours of the city and surrounding areas
10. Horseback riding at local stables

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Its All About The Journey.

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