Ismailia

Ismailia (ĭzmāəlē`ə) or Al Ismailiyah (äl ĭsmăĭlē`yə), city (1986 est. pop. 212,759), capital of Ismailia governorate, NE Egypt. It is the seat of the Suez Canal administration. Extensive irrigation is used for growing fruits and vegetables; livestock is raised. Ismailia was founded in 1863 by Ferdinand de Lesseps, who used it as his base of operations during the construction of the canal. The city was named after Ismail, a khedive of Egypt. A nearby military base established by the British in World War I is now under Egyptian control. After Israeli forces shelled Ismailia in the wake of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, part of the city's civilian population was evacuated. In the 1973 war Israeli ground forces pushed to within the city's outskirts.

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Ismailia

a city in NE Egypt, on the Suez Canal: founded in 1863 by the former Suez Canal Company; devastated by Israeli troops in the October War (1973). Pop.: 299 000 (2005 est.)

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Ismailia 

a city in Egypt.

Ismailia is located where the Ismailia Canal empties into Lake Timsah, through which the Suez Canal passes. The city is a rail and highway hub with a population of 167,500 (1970). Prior to 1967 most of its residents were employed in servicing the canal. The city has a television and radio assembly plant. There are building-stone quarries in the vicinity. Ismailia was founded in 1863 in connection with the construction of the Suez Canal.