The main town of Fayoum Oasis is located 85 Km south of Cairo, with a population of approximately 1.45 million. The name Fayoum literally translates into water. Unlike oases in the Western Desert, Fayoum Oasis is not fed by underground water sources; instead, it is fed by water transported from the Nile River to a natural triangular depression via a series of canals.

Around 70,000 years ago, a Nile flood broke through low mountains surrounding the large Fayoum depression, forming Lake Qarun and its surrounding wetlands. Although the lake shrunk significantly over thousands of years, it remains to be Egypt's largest natural salt - water lake, covering an area of about 215 square kilometers.

The first - ever sites of agriculture in the world. In the 12th Dynasty, Pharaoh Amenemhet I drained part of the wetlands and dug a large canal  from the Nile to develop an area designated for agriculture. The lake now provides a chance to explore the genuine life in oases and an interesting experience of riding horse - drawn carriages around the town without having to venture too far. Further developments were carried out by Amenemhet III who built a pyramid at Hawara and developed Lake Moeris, also known as the Great Lake, for additional expansion of agricultural areas.

It is believed that Prophet Joseph developed the area during his captivity in Egypt through the canalization of Bahr Youssef River and the construction of the world's first dam. Fayoum has a national strategic magnitude owing to its vital role in agriculture. This significance decreased as the water level in Lake Qarun constantly diminished for approximately 2,000 years until the Aswan High Dam was built, leading to greater stability in the level of the Nile.

Fayoum Oasis is not just renowned for its agricultural importance; it accommodates a wide range of historical monuments and artifacts, specifically Christian monasteries. St. Anthony Monastery is the oldest Coptic monastery in Egypt, concealed by the deep Red Sea's Zaafarana Mountain. St. Anthony and St. Pachomius were two of the first advocates of Christian monasticism that originated in the Egyptian desert. During his life, St. Anthony founded numerous monasteries but only the St. Anthony Monastery, where he was buried beneath one of its churches, survived almost untouched for 16 centuries.

Another significant monument is Deir Al Adhra, interpreted as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, constructed in the 12th century A.D., 6 Km outside Fayoum city. Another sensational monastery is the 7th century Deir Malak Ghobrial, translated to Monastery of the Angel Gabriel, which is located in the desert among cultivated lowlands. Other monasteries of equivalent status include the 6th century Deir Hammam and Deir Mari Girgis, also known as the Monastery of St. George.

Fayoum is most eminent for its waterwheels that were primary introduced by the Ptolemies. With the presence of more than 200 water wheels in Fayoum's vicinity, most famous of which are the series of seven water wheels, they are now used as the official symbol for the Fayoum province.