- 82 -1896 1906 Foreigners Egyptians Foreigners Egyptians Area of Ownership Number of Feddans Owner Number of Feddans Owner Number of Feddans Owner Number of Feddans Owner Less than 5 feddans 5 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 30 Above 50 Total 1004.68 . 12 . 56130 4414 666 559.881 4.814 694 . 5 . 5623-1 575 8311 11113 2744. 4 . 515317 267 . 4 . 217443 8246 25.490 405 4159 1054 594342 1.931 1762175 24406 . 53532 6425 . 63522 1147364 4666350 527.116 6529 76.571 44371.83 7460 27.1 5.69 10.103 9881.4 . 4816 666 4951 4414 1004.68 . 20. 38 . 56130 786 5.939 80.024 559.881 676 8311 6724 1.814 4.041 5623-1 575 8311 4742 1.643 12.983 1250 0.7959 276 11113 24.680 450 4159 8642 4.847 24.490 355 4159 14.56 . 525178 1.986 1666447 1054 594342 6529 572.116 76.571 44371.83 64250 63522 447364 466635 I say that these figures are not entirely accurate because they are a collection of records issued from each town. If a person owned land in several towns, they were listed multiple times in the number sheets. And it should not be forgotten when comparing the situation in 1906 and 1896, that after 1896, two things happened that increased the number of small Egyptian landowners mentioned in the initial financier records. Firstly, the Survey Department listed a number of small landowners separately, whereas previously they were listed in the financier records as partners with others. Secondly, the reduction in registration fees made it easier for many small landowners to register their purchase deeds. However, this does not diminish its usefulness, as it indicates that small landowners have not decreased but have increased. If we first look at the distribution of land among Egyptians and not among foreigners, we find that the category of owners with less than 5 feddans has increased in number and the area of land they own has greatly increased. Similarly, the category of owners with more than 50 feddans has also increased in number and area of ownership, but less than the increase in the former. As for the intermediate categories between these two, they have decreased in number and area. The explanation for the increase and decrease is simple. Firstly, as I mentioned, the registration of small landowners for what they purchase has increased, and secondly, inheritance in Islamic law leads to the division and fragmentation of land. Both of these factors explain the increase in the number of those owning less than 50 feddans and the decrease in the intermediate categories mentioned above, to the extent of that increase. Secondly, the country is increasing