Ismailia Governorate

Governorate

Flag

Logo

Ismailia Governorate on the map of Egypt

Country

Egypt

Seat

Ismailia (capital)

Government

• Governor

Ahmed Bahaa El-Din Al-Qassas

Area

• Total

1,442 km² (557 sq mi)

Population (2015)

• Total

1,178,641

Time zone

EET (UTC+2)

Website

Ismailia

Ismailia Governorate (Egyptian Arabic: محافظة الإسماعيلية‎‎ Muḥāfẓet El Ismāʿīliya, IPA: [moˈħɑfzˤet elʔesmæʕeˈlejjæ]) 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.

According to population estimates from 2015 the majority of residents in the governorate live in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 45.4%. Out of an estimated 1,178,641 people residing in the governorate, 643,778 people live in rural areas as opposed to only 534,863 in urban areas.

According to the Egyptian Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in affiliation with the Ministry of Investment (MOI), the following industrial zones are located in this governorate:

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.

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.

...
Wikipedia