El Matareya

El Matareya (Arabic: المطرية‎  pronounced [el.mɑ.tˤɑ.ˈɾej.jɑ]) is a region (markaz) in Egypt. Located in the Dakahlia Governorate, it lies on the Lake Manzala coast in the northeastern part of the country.

The region should not be confused with the district of Mataria in Cairo. El Matareya has a population of around 300,000 inhabitants, and consists of two main districts: Al-Ghasna and El-Obeyeen. It was announced as a separate city in the 1930s, with many villages following in it.

History

The city consisted of two main islands named Al-Ghasna and El-Obeyeen. They were distinct islands until 1903 when the government issued a decree to unite both islands under the name Matareya city. Transportation between the two islands was via wooden boats until the waterway separating the islands was dried up. The first brick houses in the city were built in the 1750s with the roofs being made of wood.

The city played a heroic role during the French campaign on Egypt, where the fishermen joined the resistance forces led by the Egyptian leader of the struggle against colonialism in this region, Sheikh Hassan Tobar. When the French battleships moved from Damietta towards Matareya to attack, they were surprised by 100 fishermen boats opposing them. At last, the city was occupied by the French in October 1798.