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Tanta
Tanta is Egypt's fifth largest city (the largest in the Delta) and is located 94 km (59 miles) north of Cairo and 130 km (81 miles) southeast of Alexandria, in the heart of the Gharbiya province. There are about 335,000 people in Tanta and a major university is located here. Tanta is reached by the Damietta branch of the Nile and northwest and by way of Birket el-Sab.
This city comes to life in late October at the end of the cotton harvest. About two million people from around the Delta and other parts of the Arab world come for the Moulid of Sayid Ahmed el-Badawi, which is an eight day celebration. The moulid is centered around the Mosque and Tomb of Sayid Ahmed el Badawi. El Badawi was the founder of one of Egypt's largest Sufi orders called Badawiya.
He was born in Morocco, but emigrated to Arabia. He was sent to Tanta in 1234 as a representative of the order from Iraq. He was given permission to start a new order in Tanta and it soon flourished. His tomb was destroyed in the mid-nineteenth century but another was built and is the center of the festival. During the festival many sugarcoated nuts called 'hubb el Azziz' ('seeds of the Beloved Prophet') are eaten. They have been considered a delicacy since ancient times.
The Museum of Tanta contains collections from present day back to Pharaonic times.
There is a small zoo and park in the center of the city.
TANTA ZOO
  
Theres a very large industrial area that includes medical, soap and oil and textile manufacturers.
Major Cities and Towns of the delta
Benha
Bilbeis
Damanhur
Damuetta (Dumyat)
Fayed
El Mansura
Ismailia
Port Said
Tanta
Zagazig
About the Area
The Delta is lush with vegetation and its many canals work their way through the land. The Delta fans out like a palm tree trying to reach the Mediterranean. Vast fields of cotton, maize and rice decorate the flat landscape and the buffalo graze, plow or turn wheels for the grinding of the grain. During the winter months it is wise to bring a raincoat because of the high clouds that blow in from the Mediterranean. Along the coast itself, a sweater may be needed in the evenings.
 
How to get to The Delta and Northeast Egypt
From outside Egypt
International flights to Cairo or Alexandria, then an internal flight or travel by rail, bus or private transport.
Contact your travel agent for details.
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