Fayyum

Fayyum, a province in the N. part of Central Egypt, separated by mountains from the Libyan desert. The area is 500 square miles, of mostly alluvial formation, and, in the north, generally fertile. The west is now covered with sand, and contains the lake Birket-el-Karun. There are irrigation canals, but those are not fully used, and the province languishes. Rice, barley, rye, and flax are the principal objects of cultivation, and there are cotton factories, while the linen of Fayyum enjoys great renown. Caravans go from the province to Cairo, carrying shawls, linen, otto, dates, etc. The chief town is Medinet-el-Fayyum.