Where is Aswan high dam ? Location, Facts & History

Discover where is Aswan high dam is and explore the incredible geographical and geostrategic importance of this massive site. Built between 1960 and 1970, this engineering marvel not only created Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world – it also played a crucial role in protecting ancient Egyptian heritage by shielding Pharaonic artifacts and monuments from the devastating floods of the Nile River. In this article, you’ll learn all the essential details for your visit, from its rich history and innovative design to practical travel tips for an unforgettable trip. Read on to find out.

Why should tourists visit Aswan Dam?

A visit to the Aswan High Dam is a unique tourist experience that combines modern history, innovative engineering, and stunning nature.

• A symbol of engineering achievement: The High Dam is considered one of the greatest engineering projects of the 20th century, demonstrating the ingenuity of its design and construction.
• Protecting heritage and the environment: Thanks to its role in controlling the Nile floods and preventing drought, the dam has contributed to protecting agricultural lands and historical sites.
• A wonderful landscape: The dam and its view of Lake Nasser provide stunning panoramic views that combine the waters of the Nile and the vast desert, making it a special place for photography and relaxation.

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What Things to do near the Aswan High Dam

• Tour inside the dam: Tour the dam facilities and explore the control room and power station to understand how it works.
• Visit Lake Nasser: Take a short cruise on Lake Nasser to enjoy the landscape and take great pictures.
• Nearby attractions: You can visit the Nubian Museum or enjoy a tour of the local market in the nearby city of Aswan to discover the local culture.

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Are there any activities available at Aswan Dam

Yes, of course, there are many activities such as:

-Introductory tours: Guided tours are available with detailed explanations of the history of the dam and its engineering functions.

Information exhibitions: Small exhibitions explain the dam's importance and its role in agricultural development and electricity generation.

Recreational Activities: Some tour companies organize river trips or bike tours around the dam area, providing an opportunity to enjoy the surrounding nature

When is the best time to visit Aswan Dam?

The best time to visit the dam is from October to April when temperatures are moderate, allowing for a comfortable experience without the extreme heat.

It is also recommended to visit the site in the early morning or afternoon to avoid the hot afternoon hours and enjoy the best views of the natural landscape.

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What type of tourists will enjoy visiting Aswan Dam?

History and engineering enthusiasts: Ideal for those interested in Egypt’s modern history and the engineering innovations that changed the course of development in the country.

Families and general tourists: It offers an educational and entertaining experience suitable for all ages, with simplified explanations and details that arouse curiosity.

Researchers and students: It is a site rich in information about water resources management and hydropower, making it a magnet for studies and research.

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How much does it cost to visit Aswan Dam?

Entrance Fees: Entrance fees to the site are reasonable compared to the tourist and educational benefits it offers.

Additional Expenses: These may include the cost of a tour guide, local transportation from Aswan, and some additional services such as licensed photography or private tours.

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Golden Tips for Visiting the Aswan Dam

1. Be Well Prepared: Wear comfortable, light clothing with a hat and sunglasses, and keep enough water.
2. Planning in Advance: Check the opening hours and weather before visiting, and try to arrive early to avoid crowds.
3. Use a tour guide: Hire local guides to understand the historical and artistic details of the site, as this enriches the experience.
4. Take pictures: Don't forget your camera to enjoy capturing the landscape and the distinctive architectural details.

How safe is it to visit Aswan Dam?

The site is equipped with strict security measures by the local authorities, which makes the visit generally safe.

So, always keep an eye on your personal belongings and avoid remote places without company. It is also advisable to follow the instructions and guidelines issued by the security teams.

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What time does Aswan Dam open?

Working hours: The site is usually open from early morning (around 8 am) until the afternoon (around 4 or 5 pm).

Seasonal Updates: It is advisable to check the timings through the official website or local tourism offices before visiting, as working hours may change depending on the season.

Whether you are a history buff or a nature lover, the High Dam offers a rich and unique experience that is worth visiting. Get ready for an unforgettable educational and entertaining tour, and take advantage of everything this unique site has to offer.   

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Where is Aswan high dam located? On the map and in the heart of Egypt

The High Dam is the first project to be built to store water in the Nile Basin countries. The number of workers reached 34 thousand, and its construction took 10 years (1960-1970) at a cost of about one billion dollars. It is second only to the Suez Canal in importance, and the International Commission on Dams and Major Companies ranked it as the top project in the twentieth century.

Where Is Aswan Dam Located?

The High Dam was built on the Nile River in Aswan Governorate in southern Egypt on the northern border between Egypt and Sudan. Its length at its crest is 3,830 meters, and at its base is 520 meters between the two banks of the Nile. Its height is 111 meters above the river bed, and its width at the crest is 40 meters. The dam takes the form of two wings on both sides of the river.

The Aswan High Dam is strategically located in southern Egypt, near the city of Aswan in Aswan Governorate. Here is a breakdown of its location:

The geographical location of the great Aswan Dam

The dam straddles the eastern bank of the Nile River. Its location in southern Egypt allows it to effectively regulate the flow of the Nile, which is crucial for flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.

Where is Aswan Dam located on a map?

- Coordinates: The dam is located approximately at latitude 24°2′ north and longitude 32°54′ east, making it easy to spot on most maps of Egypt.

-  Map view: When you examine a map of Egypt, you will find the Aswan High Dam approximately 850 kilometers south of Cairo, along the course of the Nile River as it passes through the Nubian region.

- Historical significance: Its prominent location on the Nile makes it not only a key element of infrastructure but also a vital reference point for understanding the river’s impact on the region.

How to get to the Aswan High Dam

A visit to the Aswan High Dam combines learning about Egypt's modern history and contemporary engineering achievements, while enjoying the beauty of nature and stunning views of the Nile and Lake Nasser.

-  Geographical location: The High Dam is located about 6.5 km from the center of Aswan.

- Transportation: It is easily accessible by taxi or local buses, and some hotels provide tourist transportation services for travelers.

-Tour Guide: It is advisable to use organized tour services that include transportation and provide historical and cultural explanations during the visit.

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A Journey Through Time: The history of the construction.

The story of Nile water management in Egypt began decades ago, with the Lower Aswan Dam playing an important role before it was realized that a higher and more powerful dam was needed. Here are the comprehensive historical details:

The First Dam: The Lower Aswan Dam

The beginning of construction and development:

The construction of the Lower (Low) Aswan Dam began in 1889, and was completed in 1902 with a low height of about 54 meters. Development did not stop there, as it was raised in two stages:

- The first stage from 1907 to 1912

- The second stage from 1929 to 1933

Motives for modernization:

In 1946, this dam was about to overflow, which prompted the authorities to make a decisive decision to build a new dam 8 kilometers upstream to ensure better control of the Nile flood and provide the water needed for agriculture and growing needs.

The beginning of the idea of ​​the High Dam

Project proposal:

In 1952, the Egyptian-Greek engineer Adrian Daninos submitted a proposal to build the High Dam in Aswan with the aim of holding back the Nile flood, storing its water, and generating electricity.

Preliminary studies and designs:

In early 1954, two German engineering companies submitted a design for the project, and in December of the same year, an international committee approved the feasibility of building the High Dam, paving the way for the project to proceed.

The announcement and start of implementation during the reign of Gamal Abdel Nasser

- International and local financing:

President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the project, and initially the United States offered a loan of $ 270 million, but the offer was later withdrawn. In December 1955, the World Bank agreed to finance part of the project (a quarter of the total cost) with American and British conditions that Egypt rejected and considered "colonial conditions", which led to the withdrawal of the offer.

The First Phase of the High Dam Construction

-Agreements and Commencement of Implementation:

In December 1958, Egypt signed an agreement with the Soviet Union to finance the first phase of the project.

In December 1959, an agreement was signed to distribute the dam's reservoir water with Sudan.

Construction works:

Implementation works officially began on January 9, 1960, and the first phase included:

- Drilling the diversion channel and tunnels and lining them with reinforced concrete

-Pouring the foundations of the power station

- Building the dam body until it reaches a height of 130 meters

The Second Phase of the High Dam Construction

- Funding and Additional Expansions:

On August 27, 1960, Egypt signed a second agreement with the Soviet Union to obtain additional funding for the second phase.

- Project Development:

In May 1964, river water was diverted to the diversion channel and tunnels, and the Nile course was closed to begin storing water in the lake.

Construction of the dam body continued until its completion, with the installation of the power station and its turbines, in addition to the establishment of transformer stations and electricity transmission lines.

Operation and Final Completion

Power production from the High Dam Power Plant began in October 1967, and the flow of water to begin storing it behind the dam came in 1968.

The construction of the dam was fully completed in July 1970, and its official opening was celebrated a year after completion.

The artificial lake and the power station

The project also includes the construction of a huge artificial lake known as "Lake Nasser", which is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world.

The eastern bank of the Nile contains a huge power station, where water is intercepted from the diversion channel that flows through 6 tunnels equipped with gates to control the flow of water, contributing to the generation of the energy needed for Egypt.

This historical journey shows the extent of the challenges and achievements that accompanied the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which was not just an engineering project, but an important strategic step that saved the Pharaonic heritage and contributed to achieving tremendous economic and social development for Egypt.

What type of architecture is Aswan Dam renowned for?

The Aswan High Dam is known for its unique architecture , as we are used to from the Architectural achievements of Ancient Egypt, that combines a solid rock design with advanced engineering innovations aimed at controlling and regulating the Nile waters. Here are comprehensive details about this topic:

The first to refer to the construction of the High Dam

The Arab scientist Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham:

Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham (965 AD - 1029 AD) was the first to think of building a high dam in Egypt, as he saw in this idea a means to control the Nile floods and secure water. However, he did not have the capabilities and machines necessary to implement his project at that time.

Adrian Daninos proposal:

In 1952, the Egyptian-Greek engineer Adrian Daninos presented a project to build the High Dam in Aswan with the aim of holding back the Nile flood, storing its water, and generating electricity from it. In early 1954, two German engineering companies presented a design for the project, and in December of the same year, an international committee approved the feasibility of building the High Dam.

In 1959, Egypt and Sudan reached an agreement to divide the river water, allocating 18.5 cubic kilometers of water to Sudan and 55 cubic kilometers of water to Egypt.

Type of architecture and structural structure of the High Dam

Dam design and type:

The High Dam is a rock (rock-fill) dam, built of compacted groups of rocks, cement and metals, and provided with a solid core of clay with a vertical curtain to cut off the water.

The dam is 6.5 km away from the top of the old Aswan Dam, and is located about 960 km south of Cairo.

Technical specifications:

• Length: The dam is 3830 meters long at the top.
• Width: It is 40 meters wide at the top and 980 meters at the base level.
• Height: The maximum height of the dam is 111 meters above the river bed.
• Discharge capacity: Up to 11,000 cubic meters per second.
• Gates and Turbines: The dam consists of 180 gates to control the flow of water and 12 Francis turbines, forming a power plant with a capacity of 2100 megawatts for industrial and domestic use.

Construction and Operation Details

• Construction period:

Construction of the High Dam began in 1960, and in 1964, the river was dammed, and the reservoir began to be filled. and its construction was completed in 1968, and then it was officially opened in 1971. The total investment to build the dam amounted to about one billion dollars.

• Materials and labor:

The construction of the dam required about 44 million cubic meters of construction materials, and about 34,000 workers participated in the project.

Dam Reservoir (Lake Nasser)

• Area and capacity:

The High Dam Lake is the second largest artificial lake in the world in terms of area.

The length of the lake is about 500 km, of which 350 km is located in Egyptian territory and 150 km in Sudanese territory (known as Lake Nubia).

The lake surface area is 5,900 km² (and reaches about 6,540 km² at maximum water level).

The total storage capacity is 162 billion cubic meters, divided into:

1. Dead storage capacity: about 31.6 billion cubic meters (between levels 85 m and 147 m).
2. Live storage capacity: about 90.7 billion cubic meters (between levels 147 m and 175 m).
3. Flood protection capacity: about 39.7 billion cubic meters (between levels 175 m and 182 m).

Benefits of the reservoir:

The dam provides water for about 33,600 km² of irrigated lands, and contributes to improving navigation on the Nile in addition to generating electricity and managing floods. 

The importance of the Great Dam

The Aswan High Dam is one of the most prominent structures that play a pivotal role in protecting and developing Egypt. It protects the people of the Nile banks from floods and droughts, as it organizes flights that include agricultural irrigation throughout the year. This diverse plant works to prevent devastating floods and prevents water shortages that lead to drought, which contributes to the cultivation of agricultural production and the expansion of the scope of living. In addition, for the purpose of the High Dam is an important hydroelectric station that generates the necessary electricity to operate many vital nerve tissues in the region. Protesting discrimination in various parts of the night, it is a comprehensive and comprehensive industrial activist for Egypt, and contributes to improving the overall standard of living.

Why is the Aswan Dam important?

-Flood control and water storage: The location of the dam allows for effective management of seasonal floods, ensuring water storage for agricultural and urban use.

-Hydroelectric power: By harnessing the power of the Nile River, the dam provides a significant portion of Egypt’s electricity.

-Formation of Lake Nasser: The reservoir created by the dam, known as Lake Nasser, is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. This vast body of water extends upstream and has played an important role in regional water management and tourism.

- Cultural and historical impact: Located near ancient sites, the dam’s construction was vital in protecting Pharaonic monuments from being submerged by rising waters, and preserving Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.  

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Conclusion

Concluding our article on “where is Aswan High Dam”, we find that the dam is not just a historical and geographical landmark, but a symbol of engineering progress and a vital tool for development in Egypt. From its strategic location, ancient history, economic and cultural importance, to providing a comprehensive guide for visitors, the dam becomes a unique attraction that combines natural beauty and human achievement. Whether you are a history buff, an engineering enthusiast, or a seeker of unique tourist destinations, a visit to the dam offers an unforgettable experience. We invite you to explore this magnificent landmark and discover its secrets for yourself.