a shallow lagoon in the northeastern Nile delta, between the Damietta Branch and the Suez Canal, in the Arab Republic of Egypt. It is connected with the Mediterranean Sea. Area, 1,800 sq km. The Suez Canal passes through the eastern part of the lagoon. In the west, between the cities of Damietta and al-Matariyah, is the al-Manzilah Canal, with a length of approximately 35 km. There is fishing on the lagoon.