Dessouk is a meeting point between the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh, El-Gharbiya, El-Buhera, and Alexandria. Its economy depends mainly on agriculture and tourism. It has religious importance to Sufi Muslims because Dessouk city includes the mosque of Sidi Ibrahim El-Dessouki and many Sufi shrines. Moreover, Botto city, which was one of the oldest cities at the time of King Narmar, is located in Dessouk. Botto was the capital of the Northern Kingdom at the time of King Narmer in 3,200 BC. At that time Botto became the capital of the Northern Kingdom. From 1250 to 1517 AD, Dessouk was under the jurisdiction of El-Gharbiya.

From 1798 to 1801 AD it was attached to Rashīd province (during the time of the French Campaign). In 1841, Dessouk was named as El-Mandourah section; its centre was in Dessouk. Then, in 1871, the Ministry of Interior decided to change the name of El-Mandourah to that of Dessouk Central District.