Ismailia () is one of the Canal Zone governorates of Egypt. Located in the northeastern part of the country, its capital is the city of Ismailia. It was named after Ismail Pasha, who as Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt, oversaw the country during the building of the Suez Canal. It is located between the other two Canal governorates; Port Said Governorate, in the Northern part of Egypt and Suez Governorate.
Municipal divisions The governorate is divided into municipal divisions, with a total estimated population as of January 2023 of 1,479,511. In the case of Ismailia governorate, there are 4 kism, 5 markaz and 1 new city.
The divisions are generally seven: Ismailia which is the capital, Tell El Kebir, Abu Suwir, Qassasin, Fayid, Qantara West and Qantara East.
+ Municipal Divisions Anglicized name Native name Arabic transliteration Population(July 2017 Est.) Type Abu Suwir 221,994 Markaz Ismailia 170,065 Markaz Ismailia 1 49,859 Kism (fully urban) Ismailia 2 264,376 Kism (fully urban) Ismailia 3 131,422 Kism (fully urban)El Qantara West 162,101 MarkazEl Qantara El Sharqiya 62,600 Markaz New Kasaseen 120,788 New CityTell El Kebir 111,635 Markaz Fayid 147,562 Markaz
Population
According to population estimates, in 2015 the majority of residents in the governorate lived in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 45.4%. Out of an estimated 1,479,511 people residing in the governorate, 807,813 people lived in rural areas as opposed to only 671,678 in urban areas.
Cities and towns As of 2017, seven cities (or towns) in Ismailia had a population of over 15,000 inhabitants. + Cities and towns with over 15,000 inhabitants Anglicized name Native name Arabic transliteration Nov. 1996 Census Nov. 2006 Census Population(July 2017 Est.) Abu Suwir El Mahata 18,331 24,265 29,476Ismalia 255,134 293,184 386,372New Kasaseen 11,948 15,611 22,000Tell El Kebir 31,410 26,891 37,000 Fayid 15,652 21,808 31,545
Industrial zones According to the Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the following industrial zones are located in Isamilia: Zone nameAbo Khalifa Industrial ZoneEast Qantra Industrial ZoneFirst and Second Industrial ZoneTechnology Valley Industrial Zone
Annual film festival Hashim El Nahas founded the Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts and originally considered establishing it in Luxor. Instead this festival has been celebrating its annual events in Ismailia Governorate. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Ismailia Governorate, The National Cinema Center and other sponsors.
Ismailia Canal The Ismailia Governorate is on the banks of the Suez Canal and its Ismailia Canal extends from the Nile River near Cairo to the Suez Canal at the city of Ismailia, on Lake Timsah. The Ismailia Canal was built to provide fresh water to workers during the building of the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal Authority headquarters is located in Ismailia.
Conflicts and wars From 1967 to 1970, Ismailia became a war zone and was damaged in the conflict with Israel. Many battles were fought, in and around Ismailia, including at the end of the conflict in the Battle of Ismailia and the area was able to begin rebuilding after a cease-fire was negotiated between Egypt and Israel in 1973.
Fishing landing sites There are several official fishing landing sites in Ismailia. One is at Lake Timsah and the other at Bitter Lake.
UN sustainable programme After a successful SIP (Sustainable Ismailia Programme) from 1992 to 1997, the United Nations expanded the project to include the entire Governorate of Ismailia calling it SGIP (Sustainable Ismailia Governorate Programme). Its goal is to work with local partners to improve the communities in Ismailia.
References
Further reading "Ismailia – Egypt's Garden City" , Community Times Magazine Water Polo Legends: 1930's in Ismailia, Egypt
External links
Official Ismailia Governorate Ismailia Governorate - Tourism Tour Egypt, Ismailia Governorate Sites Supreme Council of Antiquities, Ismailia Museum El Watan News of Ismailia Governorate