Ismailia ( ) is a city in north-eastern
Egypt. Known in Egypt as "The City of Beauty and Enchantment" Ismaïlia is situated on the west bank of the
Suez Canal, it is the
capital of the
Ismailia Governorate. The city has a
population (including surrounding rural areas) of approximately 750,000 inhabitants. It is located approximately half way between
Port Said to the north and
Suez to the south. The Canal widens at that point to include
Lake Timsah, one of the
Bitter Lakes linked by the Canal.