In 1907, its population was 34,999, including 2617 Copts and 1355 Greeks. It is built on a branch of the Fresh Water or Ismailia canal, and on the Al-Mo'izz canal (the ancient Tanitic channel of the Nile river), and is 47 m. by rail N.N.E. of Cairo. Situated on the Delta in the midst of a fertile district, Zagazig is a great centre of the cotton and grain trade of Egypt. It has large cotton factories and the offices of numerous European merchants. About a mile south of the town are the ruins of Bubastis.