Places in egypt: overview

The contemporary cultural, social, and geographic division of Egypt into UPPER EGYPT and LOWER EGYPT datesfrom before 3100 BCE, when Egypt was divided into two kingdoms. The Pharaoh Menes united the two kingdoms around 3100 BCE, andestablished a northern capital at Memphis and a southern one in Abydos.

Although the nomenclature is confusing, Upper Egypt is the southern part of the country, whereas Lower Egypt isin the north. This is because the Nile flows north; going“up”the river, then, is technically going south. These two divisions—with an additional MIDDLE EGYPT helping to locate sites in this vastregion—are still used today.

LOWER EGYPT refers to the region north of what is modern day Cairo. It is at this point that the Nile splitsinto numerous branches, making a very fertile delta area. UPPER EGYPT traditionally referred to the region from modern Cairo southto what is now the southern end of Lake Nasser, roughly located at Abu Simbel at the border with modern day Sudan. However, this coursewill also use the category of MIDDLE EGYPT to aid in locating sites; Middle Egypt will refer to the region between Memphis (justsouth of Cairo) and Abydos, just north of the Thebes region.