Lake Nasser in Aswan

Name: Cairo Top Tours
Address: Egypt - Giza - Al-Ahram St.5th Hassan Said St. from Ahram St Giza P.O. Box 6, Egypt, EG
Telephone: +201022772955
Price range: 40$

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Lake Nasser in Aswan

05 16, 2023

Lake Nasser: Egypt's Vast Reservoir of Life and History

Isolated in the desert through southern Egypt and northern Sudan, Lake Nasser now functions as a huge man-made reservoir. Thanks to the High Dam constructed at Aswan on the Nile River, the lake became a valuable engineering achievement and is now an important resource for that region. Lake Nasser is contentious for what it has done, but it is essential to Egypt’s water management, attracts many species of animals, and is valuable for its history.

Formation and Geography

As soon as the Aswan High Dam was built in 1970, Lake Nasser was formed. To manage the yearly floods, supply clean water for planting, and create an electricity supply, the dam was constructed. As the dam was being finished, the Egyptian desert began to absorb Nile waters and formed a lake that extends over 500 km (310 miles) and is widest at 16 km (10 miles).

The shape of the lake (over 5,200 square kilometres) and its capacity (up to 132 cubic kilometres) make it important for Egypt’s agricultural needs and electrical power. It helps protect us during droughts by offering us a water store when there is little rain.

Economic Importance

Lake Nasser has a big impact on Egypt’s economy. A great deal of fresh water from the Nile is used to irrigate the land in Upper Egypt, changing wasteland into places where farming is possible. For thousands of Egyptians, including farmers and fishermen, the reservoir makes it possible to earn a living.

Especially, there is a great demand for fishing around the lake. Many Nile perch, tilapia, and catfish inhabit the waters of Africa’s lakes. Egypt has established fish farms and assists local fishermen to help protect the environment when they fish. Years of harvesting from Lake Nasser have supplied both the local population and export markets with large quantities of fish.

The dam at Aswan produces a lot of the country’s electricity, which improves Egyptian infrastructure and makes it less reliant on fossil fuels. Thanks to the dam’s hydroelectric power, people in remote southern Egypt now have access to electricity, helping to improve many people’s lives.

Cultural and Historical Impact

While many benefits have resulted from the formation of Lake Nasser, this achievement has also led to important cultural and historical losses. During the reservoir’s filling, dozens of temples and settlements from the past were submerged. Save the Abu Simbel Temples: UNESCO and Countries Work Together

Because of the lake, Pharaoh Ramses II’s temples were constructed in the thirteenth century BCE and later carefully moved to a safer, higher location. Temples such as the Temple of Philae were rescued in the same way. Moving these monuments across borders was very difficult and a great example of how the world community could work together in heritage conservation.

Even with those efforts, lots of small sites and entire Nubian villages still ended up under the lake’s waters. The communities’ relocation to unfamiliar places affected how they lived and soon brought about cultural and social problems for them.

Ecological Significance

Lake Nasser is now an important point for birds on their way between Europe and Africa. Still a man-made environment, the lake’s ecosystem hosts many species, and some of them now live well here.

Still, there are worries about the environment. The storage of silt behind the Aswan High Dam has made the Nile Delta less fertile than before. The release of pollutants from agricultural land and overfishing may weaken the ability of the lake to remain sustainable.

Tourism and Future Prospects

People now visit Lake Nasser for ecotourism and for adventure travel. Tours on cruise boats include adventures to out-of-the-way Nubian communities along the lake as well as visits to special temples. Lesser-known experiences like fishing and bird watching, as well as tours in the desert, draw a small group of tourists to southern Egypt.

Moving forward, the government is looking for ways to use the lake to its greatest advantage while addressing its environmental and social issues. Water conservation, unpolluted fishing in the lake, and responsible cultural tourism are efforts to preserve Lake Nasser for future generations.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

Egypt attracts tourists from all over the world because of its rich history and magnificent structures. If you want to discover ancient history and visit the Giza Plateau, take advantage of excursions to the Cheops Pyramids, Bahariya Oasis, Farafra Oasis, Kharga Oasis, Luxor, Aswan and shore excursions from the port of Sokhna. You can be sure that you won't miss any of the main attractions of this intriguing country when you begin your journey into the White Desert.

Despite the fact that desert evenings may get fairly chilly, Aswan has had summertime highs of 124°F (51°C), so you might want to visit Lake Nasser in the spring, fall, or winter. The Aswan High Dam and the Abu Simbel temples can get highly crowded, but Lake Nasser itself rarely sees a lot of people.

The historic sites that line Lake Nasser's beaches are the main draw for many tourists. The most well-known of them is unquestionably Abu Simbel, whose enormous rock-cut temples were constructed by Ramesses II and contain the greatest figures to have survived from the pharaonic era.

For the 18th and 19th centuries, this important temple was the top destination for tourists. Experience a remarkable journey at the Philae Temple Sound and Light Show, which will win your heart by revealing the mystic and ancient secrets. Ten different languages are available for you to hear this legacy.

Lake Nasser, located in southern Egypt and northern Sudan, is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. It features the Abu Simbel Temples, the Temple of Amada, Wadi El Seboua, and Kalabsha Temple. The Abu Simbel Temples, renowned for their massive statues and intricate carvings, were relocated and preserved during the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The Temple of Amada is one of the oldest surviving in Nubia, while Wadi El Seboua houses other ancient Nubian temples. The Kalabsha Temple, dedicated to the Nubian sun god Mandulis, features hieroglyphic inscriptions and reliefs. Lake Nasser is also a paradise for birdwatching, with migratory birds, waterfowl, and resident species. Cruise operators offer guided tours, fishing, and panoramic views.

Lake Nasser plays an important role in attracting tourists to Aswan for several reasons:

Stunning scenery: Lake Nasser is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, and it embraces stunning landscapes that attract tourists. The lake offers a variety of opportunities for cruises and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Nubia Mountains and the surrounding desert.

Sports and recreational activities: Lake Nasser offers many water sports activities such as boating, water skiing, and fishing, which attracts a large number of water sports and recreation enthusiasts.

Culture and history: The Lake Nasser region is characterized by the presence of important historical and cultural landmarks such as the Philae Temple and Abu Simbel, which attract tourists from all over the world to explore the Pharaonic history and the huge monuments that the region contains.

Ecotourism: The surroundings of Lake Nasser are home to many plant and animal species, making it an ideal destination for ecotourism, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.

Lake Nasser or the High Dam Lake is the largest artificial lake in the world, located in southern Egypt, south of the city of Aswan, and north of Sudan. The name Lake Nasser refers to the largest part that lies within Egypt's borders and represents 83% of the total area of the lake, while the remaining part located within Sudan's borders is called Lake Nuba.

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