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One of the most impressive feats of engineering in modern Egypt, the Aswan High Dam is a vital component of all travelers visiting Upper Egypt. Constructed in Aswan across the Nile River to help regulate floods, harness hydro electric power, and ensure water supply to the country, this great structure is a major tourist draw on Egypt Tours, showcasing the beautiful blend of historical scenery and modern technology along the Nile. In doing so, it also forms Lake Nasser, the second largest artificial lake in the world, providing the area with impressive new scenic attractions for the keen historian and the keen traveler. Let me help you organize your holidays of dreams with this useful travel guide to Egypt. It will assist you to discover the marvels and the wonders of this country.
Aswan High Dam: History and Construction
The story of the Aswan High Dam dates back to the mid 20th century, when the country was struggling with a way to find a sustainable and long-term solution to the unpredictability of the Nile floods, which before the construction of the dam used to destroy villages and farmland alike with extreme floods, whilst sometimes cause of draughts that were threating crop yields. Officially started in 1960, with massive international funding and technical help, the construction itself was a landmark achievement that few engineers ever thought of achieving at that stage, due to sheer size, amount of raw materials and workforce required, to safely divert and then control the flow of the mighty Nile. The construction, completed in 1970, is seen as a symbol of Egypts pride and progress, but also the construction, for the first time in history of the region provided control over the water, which allowed controlled water usage and irrigation during the whole year, leading to increase of crop yields in Upper Egypt, making the region self-sufficient in food production, whilst it played the vital role to the overall agriculture of the country. Today visitors exploring the site on one of Egypt Tours can witness its great size and learn the political, economic and social consequences this impressive monument imposed to modern Egypt.
Lake Nasser - The Magnificent Artificial Lake in the Desert
One of the biggest outcomes that one cannot miss, is the marvelous Lake Nasser – the world largest artificial lake located to the south of the High Dam and extending far beyond the Egyptian borders into Sudan (there called Lake Nubia). This spectacular creation has fundamentally changed the geology of the surrounding desert and continues to amaze even the most experienced traveler, not only because of its sheer size but also because of its beauty. Contrasting strongly with the warm, golden hues of the desert mountains and cliffs that border it, the clear deep blue waters are an exceptionally dramatic backdrop to whatever comes your way, including various types of tours across Egypt. It’s one of those sights that might still be somewhat unknown compared to the classic sights such as Karnak and Luxor, but is highly recommended especially when embarking on Nile cruises and those taking the road less traveled, as well as it has great appeal to photographers, and one of those sights that are usually visited during a tour focusing on Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel. The lake is also great for various fishing activities, observation of desert wildlife and provides serene boat rides on its waters that offer the unique chance to experience the quite side of Aswan, far away from the buzzing city. There is also possibility of a sailing tour to further explore this beautiful lake and get the authentic Nile cruise experience coupled with cultural experience.
Hydroelectric power and sustainable development of Egypt
Beyond its spectacular appearance, the construction of the Aswan High Dam had enormous impact on the economic development of Egypt in terms of production of hydroelectric power, that nowadays fulfills a considerable part of the countrys energy needs and allows sustainable development and growth without the overdependence on conventional fossil fuels. The tremendous flow of the water through massive turbines of the dam provides the energy that powers Egyptian industries, domestic appliances, agricultural irrigation and generally has led to improvement of the quality of life for millions of Egyptians. Without the dam, managing such huge population growth and agricultural expansion would be incredibly difficult for Egypt, and visitors that show interest in the engineering and technical aspects on one of their Egypt tours will definitely benefit from a visit, as guides present in details the engineering behind the dam, the benefits and the ways it is managed today.
Visiting the Aswan High Dam as part of Egypt tours
A visit to the Aswan High Dam is considered as one of the essential parts of every itinerary visiting the southern part of Egypt. Located at a short distance from Aswan city center, it is usually accompanied by a visit to the famous Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk making the tour a whole historical, natural and engineering expedition. Tourists visiting the dam will have the chance to get amazed by the vast panorama offered from the platforms on top of it where they can walk around to get the best views of Lake Nasser and the surrounding desert scenery. The detailed explanation given by tour guides on its construction and its effects on modern Egypt will definitely satisfy even the most curious travelers. One is often surprised by how peaceful the location is, despite the industrial magnitude of the project and combined with the extraordinary contrast between the water of the Nile and the desert landscape, it is a site that every tourist visiting Upper Egypt must witness during his/her Egypt tours.
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