Nile sunset, a photo from Luxor, Inland

Photographer's Note

The Nile (Arabic: النيل‎, an-nīl, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing river in Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world.

The Nile has two major tributaries, the White Nile and Blue Nile, the latter being the source of most of the Nile's water and fertile soil, but the former being the longer of the two. The White Nile rises in the Great Lakes region of central Africa, with the most distant source in southern Rwanda 2°16′55.92″S 29°19′52.32″E / 2.2822°S 29.3312°E / -2.2822; 29.3312, and flows north from there through Tanzania, Lake Victoria, Uganda and southern Sudan, while the Blue Nile starts at Lake Tana in Ethiopia 12°2′8.8″N 37°15′53.11″E / 12.035778°N 37.2647528°E / 12.035778; 37.2647528, flowing into Sudan from the southeast. The two rivers meet near the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

The northern section of the river flows almost entirely through desert, from Sudan into Egypt, a country whose civilization has depended on the river since ancient times. Most of the population of Egypt and all of its cities, with the exception of those near the coast, lie along those parts of the Nile valley north of Aswan; and nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt are found along the banks of the river. The Nile ends in a large delta that empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Nile, an unending source of sustenance, provided a crucial role in the development of Egyptian civilization. The Nile made the land surrounding it extremely fertile when it flooded or was inundated annually. The Egyptians were able to cultivate wheat and crops around the Nile, providing food for the general population. Also, the Nile’s water attracted game such as water buffalo; and after the Persians introduced them in the 7th century BC, camels. These animals could be killed for meat, or could be captured, tamed and used for ploughing — or in the camels' case, travelling. Water was vital to both people and livestock. The Nile was also a convenient and efficient way of transportation for people and goods.

Dhows on the NileThe structure of Egypt’s society made it one of the most stable in history. In fact, it might easily have surpassed many modern societies. This stability was an immediate result of the Nile’s fertility. The Nile also provided flax for trade. Wheat was also traded, a crucial crop in the Middle East where famine was very common. This trading system secured the diplomatic relationship Egypt had with other countries, and often contributed to Egypt's economic stability. Also, the Nile provided the resources such as food or money, to quickly and efficiently raise an army for offensive or defensive roles.

The Nile played a major role in politics and social life. The pharaoh would supposedly flood the Nile, and in return for the life-giving water and crops, the peasants would cultivate the fertile soil and send a portion of the resources they had reaped to the Pharaoh. He or she would in turn use it for the well-being of Egyptian society.

The Nile was a source of spiritual dimension. The Nile was so significant to the lifestyle of the Egyptians, that they created a god dedicated to the welfare of the Nile’s annual inundation. The god’s name was Hapy, and both he and the pharaoh were thought to control the flooding of the Nile River. Also, the Nile was considered as a causeway from life to death and afterlife. The east was thought of as a place of birth and growth, and the west was considered the place of death, as the god Ra, the sun, underwent birth, death, and resurrection each time he crossed the sky. Thus, all tombs were located west of the Nile, because the Egyptians believed that in order to enter the afterlife, they must be buried on the side that symbolized death.

The Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote that ‘Egypt was the gift of the Nile’, and in a sense that is correct. Without the waters of the Nile River for irrigation, Egyptian civilization would probably have been short-lived. The Nile provided the elements that make a vigorous civilization, and contributed much to its lasting three thousand years.

That far-reaching trade has been carried on along the Nile since ancient times can be seen from the Ishango bone, possibly the earliest known indication of Ancient Egyptian multiplication, which was discovered along the headwaters of the Nile River (near Lake Edward, in northeastern Congo) and was carbon-dated to 20,000 BC.

Budapestman, Silvio1953, vasilpro, ymrk, JudyR, emilbo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PixelTerror (0) 2009-06-04 1:25

Ciao Luciano
Nice composition at sunset time, looks like a painting with exotic bonus, the boat is well placed and detaches itself on the free water, we can compare it to the 2nd one we barely see
Have a nice day JY

Guenther (10915) 2009-06-04 1:34

Ciao Luciano,

che splendido paesaggio! La luce è bellissima e la barca con i due pescatori è ben posizionata e arricchisce ancor di più l'immagine... ottimo lavoro!

Buona giornata
Günther

Budapestman (82620) 2009-06-04 1:43

Hi Luciano,
Great atmosphere with amazing lights and spectacular composition. The silhouette of the boat demonstrates the distances wonderfully in the forefront and spectacular cosy detail. Romantic panorama, indeed. Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

ddupre2 (893) 2009-06-04 1:56

superbe ! j'aime tout, les personnages à contre jour, tout cet or, la composition

bravo
cordialement,

dd

stefanocer (10642) 2009-06-04 4:20

Mi sta venendo voglia di andarci in egitto Luciano , molto bella la composizione e la luce , complimenti.
Stefano.

Silvio1953 (221593) 2009-06-04 6:03

Ciao Luciano, fantastica, romantica, ben costruita con la barca al punto giusto, meraviglioso tramonto sul grande fiume, magnifica luce, bravissimo, ciao Silvio

vasilpro (41801) 2009-06-04 8:38

Hello Luciano,
The colors are wonderful, the composition great, your POV created a beautiful photo. I like it a lot.
Regards, Vasilis.

rodgerg (55767) 2009-06-04 10:51

Ciao Caro Luciano,

Che molto bella vista. I bei corei del "sunset" sono molto ben captati. Gli alberi danno un'bello effetto grafico. Bei riflessi nel acqua. Uno molto bello elemento: le due persone e la barca al prio plano.
Buona sera,
Roger

smarcell (19965) 2009-06-04 11:08

Ciao Luciano, l'atmosfera e' veramente suggestiva. Ci manca una musica arabeggiante e sarebbe perfetta.
ciao Stefano

cobra112 (15589) 2009-06-04 11:26

Ueh Ueh Luciano. Te l'ha commissionata qualche rivista di settore? Uno spettacolo di luci e controluci dalla morbidezza cromatica esaltante. Lavoro spettacolare.

Roberto

Clementi (52514) 2009-06-04 11:34

Ciao Luciano,
questa e' una di quelle foto da poster,
spettacolare tramonto con una luce incredibile e con tutti gli elementi al posto giusto bravo beccate sto 10
Giorgio

chris04stop (6805) 2009-06-04 12:42

WOW! WOW! WOW! Grandissimo Lucianooo! Mi sono espressa con sufficiente chiarezza? Questa é una foto DAVVERO strepitosa. Ci sono riflessi superbi, in soffice e morbido contrasto con quella lieve foschia; il cielo ha una tinta intensa e fascinosa. La quiete e il silenzio si evincono al primo sguardo: incantevoli. E che dire dei due pescatori, silenziosi anche loro, che hai colto in un eccellente controluce? Questa é una foto magica!
Anna Paola

grigand (20290) 2009-06-04 13:50

Ciao luciano,
Luce e riflesso fantastici !! Veramente una gran scatto.
ciao
andrea

ymrk (15099) 2009-06-04 14:00

Ciao,
I've been love to that move and water with color of sky...İnteresting and as much again affected photo!
Take care my friend,

Yağmur

ciakgiak (30) 2009-06-04 14:26

Ciao Luciano,
non mi stai più dando argomenti validi per attaccarti. Che dire di un'atmosfera così suggestiva e ben catturata?
Mi piace l'inserimento della barca e mi piace che sia messa proprio là, in perfetta posizione. Bravissimo.
Un abbraccio
Giorgio

danyy (0) 2009-06-04 23:01

Bonjour Luciano,
un moment très magique dans ses lumières et ses couleurs, de la tendresse, de la douceur mais aussi calme et tranquilité.
Bien cadrée et aux couleurs fortes, une vue irrésistible d'un des points les plus chauds de la planète.
Best from Liège.
Daniel.

emka (158156) 2009-06-04 23:02

Ciao Luciano,

Nice view of the Nile, beautiful su nset colours. Splendid palms and this little boat in fg.

Ciao

Malgorzata

argycon (2769) 2009-06-04 23:43

Hi Luciano,
Amazing sunset composition! Fantastic silhouetes!
Superb colors, perfect light management!
Great shot!!
tfs
Kostas

Nicou (193806) 2009-06-05 1:30

Hello,

Grandiose image, quelle ambiance d'or, cette brume, ces reflet, le beau vert, avec le bâteau en ombre chinosie, ce palmier qui me font rêver, emrci.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-06-05 9:42

Ciao Luciano!
The effects on this one are very attractive and beautiful with a painting-like result! The two people in the small boat on the bottom left corner is very eye-catching! I really like it!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

amaryllis (37047) 2009-06-05 12:56

Bonsoir
Wonderfull ce coucher de soleil ainsi avec l'eau devant, des couleurs superbes et fortes d'un endroit comme celui-ci
excellent cadrage et un bon travail de qualité, j'aime beaucoup
juliette

JudyR (1671) 2009-06-06 12:29

Incredible light and details focused so clearly as to be extremely interesting. The foreground boat peole add to the details of this very interesting composition. Thanks, Judy

rikko77 (10861) 2009-06-08 0:09

Ciao Lucianone
qui veramente hai dato il massimo, è una delle tue foto più belle secondo me. Hai sfruttato al meglio la luce che c'era ed hai scattato al momento giusto, valorizzando le silhouette in primo piano che staccano benissimo sull'acqua. Le palme sullo sfondo fanno da "quinta" alla scena. Bravissimo!
Un saluto
Rikk

Uhu (8609) 2009-06-08 0:53

Unreal lovely colors again, and lighting - you're a master of such photos. Great work!

Cricri (176) 2009-06-08 10:42

Ciao Luciano
Quel instant magique, un vrai plaisir pour le regard que donne la couleur du ciel avec de jolis effet dorés sur l'eau, très très jolie
Passe une belle soirée
cricri

dmarizz (2796) 2009-06-08 14:00

Ciao Luciano,
sto battagliando con questa nuova bella (ma lentissima!!) versione del sito, ma proprio non potevo fare a meno di premiare questa classica, ma stupenda composizione.
La luce e' davvero spettacolare, e tu l'hai catturata in modo ineccepibile, Dario.

Morac (27725) 2009-06-08 14:20

Bonsoir Luciano,

Quel paysage de rêve et comme il devait être bon d'être à cet endroit à cet instant
Amicalement
Marc

emilbo (22616) 2009-06-09 17:44

Ciao Luciano!
Vraiment merveilleuse cette photo prise au coucher du soleil. L'éclairage est superbe et les couleurs sont fantastiques. Beaux reflets et belles silhouettes des bateaux, j'aime beaucoup.
Félicitations!... et merci de partager de si belles photos.
Amicalement,
Emilius

polpo56 (15146) 2009-06-10 14:27

Ciao Luciano,
bella, affascinante, dai toni caldi e rilassanti.
Proprio una bella foto.

Buona notte

Ludo

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-06-15 5:48

Ola Luciano ,
Que linda foto em tons dourados como eu gosto , lindos detalhes e silhuetas , vai para as minhas favoritas :), parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

sultana (2101) 2009-06-15 5:59

Hi Luciano,
An impressive sunhine photo.It is look like painting. The silhouette of the boat and light are completed composition .Well Done

Best regards,
Sultan

Fellini (6407) 2009-06-17 7:08

Ciao Luciano,
ottima inquadratura, la gestione della luce valorizza bene lo scatto creando delle incredibili situazioni di riflessi, ombre e silhouette...Un ottimo lavoro, complimenti Luciano.
Buona serata
Ales

testmaniac (13508) 2009-08-18 21:45

Hi Luciano,
Great atmosphere with amazing lights and good composition. Wonderful colors and mood!

TFS

Phil

mkamionka (74407) 2010-09-12 2:25

Ciao Luciano,
I have just had a deeper look into your Egypt gallery and I am really impressed. Many of these places I visited myself yet without much time and with pretty bad lenses. I do have plenty of shots but not quite happy with them, your photos are what I would like to have in my collection as well.
This one is breath taking. Excellent capture of the sunset with incredible plants, palm trees. The silhouette of the boat with two people is a very strong point in the composition. I am so very jealous,
Have a good Sunday,
M

ikeharel (113345) 2013-02-01 7:28

Misty golden sunset over the wetland on side of the river, Luciano.
Picture space divided superbly, employ each element in fair part.
Impressive. Buona serata,
Ike

yquem46 (38752) 2013-02-01 7:38

Ciao Luciano
Je trouve cette bonne image dans la page de critiques
Cà tombe bien car je préfère de beaucoup ce genre de sunset à celui de ton dernier post avec un FG bien occupé par cette barque des 2 pêcheurs
Les couleurs du ciel et celle réfléchie dans le fleuve sont magnifiques
Bon WE, amicalement
Patrick

pajaran (115891) 2019-04-07 11:43

Dobro vece.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak.
Lep deo reke i zelenilo, lepo drvece na obali, lep zalazak suncana na Nilu.
Zelim vam lepu i mirnu noc, sve najbolje.
Paja.