Photos

This is the back of the 1970 High Dam in Aswan (my camera is pointing to the north). This is one of the most important locations of Egypt because of three things: it was build to prevent the occasional flooding of the river Nile that happenend before the build. It also generates 60% of Egypts power! The most important function of the dam is that it keeps out those mean, green ugly crocodiles eating machines. No crocodiles north of Aswan!

Low Dam
It is called the High Dam because there was already a smaller dam build by the British in 1902, some 7km north of this one. Low dam = 30m, High Dam = 110m. The power generated by the Low Dam powers the town of Aswan.

Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel
By damming that part of the Nile, one of the biggest artificial lakes was created, Lake Nasser (named after Egypt's president of that time). 60.000 Nubian's had to be displaced and they are still pissed about it. Lots of big monuments, like Abu Simbel, had to be moved to higher grounds. Most of it was financed by Unesco. Click here for mini video of Lake Nasser.

Aswan
Aswan is located some 700km south of Caïro, some 200km north from the Sudan border. It is a popular touristic destination because of the many temples surrounding Aswan. From Aswan many also visit Abu Simbel which is another 300km to the south west, 60km north of the Sudan border. More on Abu Simbel in a few days.

Flash Earth: 23.969648 N 32.878678 E