The town of Aswan in
Upper Egypt marked the southern border of Ancient Egypt. It is one of the most
beautiful places in the country with the town located on the east bank and the
desert & hills coming right to the Nile on the west bank. Here the Nile is at its
most beautiful, has many islands. r. Kitchener's Island is the site of the
botanical gardens, whilst Elephantine has ruins,
Just south of Aswan is
the Old Dam built around the turn of the century and later increased in height.
South of the dam is the beautiful island temple of Philae. Further to the south is Aswan High
Dam built in the 1960s. Behind, it has held
the water of Lake Nasser which extends 300 kilometers south along the old
course of the Nile. The lake is often referred to as the Nubian Sea by tour
operators who now operate cruise boats on the lake visiting old re-located
sites.
Many of the objects found
in ancient Nubia before it was flooded can now be found beautifully displayed
in the Nubia Museum in Aswan. Aswan has been a favorite winter resort since the
nineteenth century and it is still a perfect place to relax & get away.