Damietta

Town, port, and governorate of Egypt, on the eastern branch of the Nile, lying between the right bank of the river and Lake Menzaleh, about 15 km/9 mi from the sea; governorate – area 590 sq km/228 sq mi, population (1995 est) 898,000; town – population (1991) 113,000. Cotton, silk, and pottery goods are manufactured, and there is an export trade in rice. The port declined in importance after the construction of the Suez Canal and the development of Port Said.

The old town was fortified by the Saracens, but was several times taken by the Crusaders. When it was restored to the Saracens in 1250 they razed it to the ground, and it was rebuilt on its present site.