Qina, town, capital of Qina governorate, E central Egypt, on the Nile River. Sugarcane and grains are grown nearby, and pottery is made in the town. Qina was built on the site of ancient Caene (or Caenepolis), of which many ruins remain. During World War II, Qina took on strategic importance as the terminus of a road through the mountains from Al Quayr on the Red Sea coast.