Ismaïlia, Egypt

Ismaïlia is a city in north-east 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. 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.

Lowry sailed past the city twice on his journey through the canal on his 1927 voyage to the Far East and back. Lowry refers to the city in his novel Under The Volcano when Hugh recalls; "So that going through the Suez he was not conscious of sphinxes, Ismailia, nor Mt Sinai.." (Pg. 166).