Ismailia Attractions

The attractive town of Ismailia, headquarters of the Suez Canal Authority, a pilot station and a traffic junction half way between Port Said and Suez, lies on the north side of Lake Timsah ("Crocodile Lake"). A town of shady avenues, flower lined promenades and luxuriant parks and gardens, it was founded by Lesseps in 1863 at the end of the Ismailia Canal (Freshwater Canal, constructed 1858-63 to provide a supply of drinking water) as the main center of operations during the construction of the Suez Canal and named after Khedive Ismail. After the completion of the canal the town lost its importance but later enjoyed a revival as a British garrison town.