Fayoum Oasis
The Fayoum, sometimes referred to as the Fayoum Oasis, even though it is not a true Oasis, is situated 100 Kilometer south of Cairo. It takes its name from the Coptic word, Phiom or Payomj, meaning lake or sea. During very ancient times, it was actually a sea, and today is well known for the finds of great, ancient whales.
This large fertile basin, about 70km wide and 60km long, is often referred to as an oasis, though technically it’s watered not by springs but by the Nile via hundreds of capillary canals, many dug in ancient times. The area harbours a number of important archaeological sites, as the pharaohs built pleasure palaces here and the Greeks, who believed the crocodiles in Lake Qarun were sacred, built temples where pilgrims could feed the beasts. The region is famous for its lush fields and orchards, so it’s a good place to revel in fresh produce, and the lake is a popular weekend spot for vacationing Cairenes.
