[5] The modern city developed from the village of Suhay (Arabic: السوهاى) (or Sumay), the name of which eventually transformed into Suhaj,[6] and is located on the site of several ancient settlements, the largest of which is Bompae (Ancient Greek: Βομπαη; Coptic: ⲃⲟⲙⲡⲁϩⲟ, lit.

Sohag lies on a fertile agricultural plain on the western bank of the Nile,[9] approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) southwest of Akhmim.

Other sources of income include trade, small industries of carpets, furniture, spinning and weaving and sugar.

The monastery's name is derived from the color of the construction material of its outside walls, consisting of red (burnt) brick.

[12] Sohag is the site of a temple built for the goddess Repyt (Triphis) by Ptolemy XV Caesarion and subsequent Roman emperors.

One of the nearby tombs of the brothers Ibpemeny "the younger" and Pemehyt of the late second century BC, has two zodiacs on its ceiling.

Sohag is one of the warmest places in Egypt due to its location on the eastern side of Sahara in North Africa.

Souq el-Itnein is a weekly market held every Monday morning; vegetables, fruits, animals and traditional hand made objects (like baskets, farming axes and bags) are sold there.

[citation needed] In May 2010, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak inaugurated Sohag International Airport.

In addition, EPL club has El Gouna FC used Sohag stadium as a home ground at times.