Located in the middle of the Egyptian Desert is one of the largest embankment
dams of the world, Aswan High Dam. Known as Saad el Aali in Arabic Aswan High
Dam is one of the greatest engineering miracles of this world. Located near to
Aswan city, one of the main cities of Egypt, Aswan High Dam is 11, 811 ft long,
3215 ft thick at base and 364 ft tall.
Constructed in 1960's, Aswan High Dam was built to control the annual flood
of the Nile River. Earlier also Aswan had a dam known as Aswan Old Dam built
on Nile River in 1899. Construction lasted up to 1902 but when in 1946 that
dam was overflowed it was decided to construct a new dam rather than of raising
the height of the old dam.
Aswan High Dam contains eighteen times more material than the Great Pyramid
of Cheops. At present this High Dam of Aswan provides irrigation facility and
generates electricity for whole of Egypt. Along with the Old Dam, Aswan High
Dam provides a magnificent view of the Nile River.
Beside of the magnificent dam view, one can also view the huge reservoir associated
with the dam - the Lake Nassar. In the south of the Dam is located one of the
attractions of Egypt, the Kalabsha Temple. A huge power station, a part of dam,
is situated in north of the Aswan High Dam.
The High dam of Aswan added a whole new aspect to the economy of Egypt as well
as to the environment of the Egypt. Because of the Aswan High Dam the cultivable
land of Egypt has increased 30%. Also the water level for Shara as far as Algeria
shows a positive impact of the dam.
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