Aswan dam when was it built

Ethiopia hopes its dam, now more than three-quarters complete, will generate electricity critical to help pull millions of its people out of poverty. Egypt, which relies almost entirely on the Nile to supply water for agriculture and its million-strong population, fears a devastating impact if the Ethiopian dam is operated without taking its needs into account.

Despite the numerous benefits it brought, the Aswan High Dam also had negative side-effects. It increased the salt content of the soil used to grow food, holding back the rich silt that acted as a fertilizer, and drove thousands of villagers from their Nile Valley homes. Some 50, Nubian people were subjected to forced resettlement in and , to vacate the area where Lake Nasser, which covers 2, square miles, was created.

The world paid little attention to the displacement of the Nubians, who were moved to 44 new villages north of Aswan, but many still dream of returning to land along the lake, near their original homes. More than countries responded with funds or expertise at the time.

Before the dam was built, the Nile River overflowed its banks once a year and deposited four million tons of nutrient-rich silt on the valley floor, making Egypt's otherwise dry land productive and fertile. But there were some years when the river did not rise at all, causing widespread drought and famine. In , Egyptian president Gamal Abdal-Nasser pledged to control his country's annual flood with a giant new dam across the Nile River. His plan worked.

The end of flooding has sharply reduced the number of fish in the Nile, many of which were migratory. Lake Nasser, however, has been stocked with fish, and many species, including perch, thrive there. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us!

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Earlier dams The Low Dam in Aswan was equally impressive when it was first built by the British at the end of the 19th century; nothing of its scale had ever been attempted before.

Visiting the dam Visits to Aswan High Dam take you across the road that stretches along the top, where you'll stop in a car park about half way along to take in the impressive views over both sides.

Location South of Aswan. Transport Most people visit as part of a combination guided tour from Aswan. Old Cairo What to do.

You may also be interested in. Old Cairo Old Cairo is charming yet chaotic. What to do As well as legendary history and world-famous monuments, Egypt offers a number of interesting activities that you may not expect, from watersports to hot air balloon rides.