Zagazigis a city inLower Egypt. Situated in the eastern part of theNiledelta, it is the capital of thegovernorateofSharqia.
In 1999, its population was approximately 279,000, which increased to 302,611 in 2006. It is built on a branch of theSweet Water Canaland on al-Muˤizz Canal (the ancient Tanaitic channel of theNile), and is 47 miles by rail north-northeast ofCairo. Situated on theNile Deltain the midst of a fertile district, Zagazig is a centre of the cotton and grain trade of Egypt. It has large cotton factories and used to have offices of numerousEuropeanmerchants.
It is located on the Muweis Canal and is the chief hub of the corn and cotton trade. There is a museum of antiquities, the Sharkeya National Museum(sometimes called the Amed Orabi Museum, at Herriat Raznah) that contains many important archaeological exhibits (currently closed for restoration).
Zagazig University, one of the largest universities in Egypt, is also located in the city, with colleges in different fields of science and arts. TheArchaeological Museum of the University of Zagazigexhibits significant finds from the nearby sites, Bubastis (Tell Basta) and Kufur Nigm.Also there is a branch forAl-Azhar University, the largestIslamicuniversity in the world.
Zagazig is the birthplace of famousCopticEgyptian journalist, philosopher and social critic,Salama Moussa.