Fayum, or FAYOUM

Most fertile province of Egypt, w. of the Nile, once connected with it by a canal; in a basin, part of which is 100 ft. below the river level. It contains a lake of Ruins of the Labyrinth and Pyramids on the bank of the ancient Lake Moeris. brackish water, Birket-el-Karn, ab. 35 m. long; also Lake Moeris, on the bank of which was the famous LABYRINTH (q.v.). Area 493 sq. m.; pop., 1882, 228,709.