Al Sharqia Governorate (Arabic: محافظة الشرقية aš-Šarqiyyah , Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [eʃ.ʃæɾˈʔejjæ], peasant pronunciation: [eʃ.ʃæɾˈɡejje]; English: Eastern Governorate or "Eastern Province") is the 3rd most populous of the governorates of Egypt. Located in the northern part of the country, its capital is the city of Zagazig.
Abaza Family, the largest family in Sharqia and Egypt's largest Circassian minority and house of nobility.[citation needed] Many villages, streets, and at least one city square are named after members of this dynasty, which still retains millions of hectares of land holdings in the province.[citation needed] The province was governed by Governor Wagih Abaza for 20 years before he was given Beheira and later Cairo. The family has controlled certain parliamentary seats in the area for the last 70 years.[citation needed]