Aswan (Egypt)

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Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city, has long been the country's gateway to Africa and a prosperous market city on the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes.

It sits in the SE of the country, 125 mls S of Luxor, 590 mls by road S of the capital Cairo. The airport is 25 mls SW of city. Aswan is situated on E bank of the Nile River, at a point where the river narrows somewhat and the terrain becomes hilly and punctuated with rocky outcrops.

Aswan was a garrison town known as Sunt in ancient times and it was also important to the early Coptic Christians. The Nile has Elephantine Island in its centre and this is where the main town and temple area of Sunt were located (the island was known then as Yebu, and later renamed by the Greeks).

The temples and ruins here are not nearly as well preserved and impressive as those elsewhere in the country, but there are other good reasons to visit. The Nile is glorious here as it makes its way down from massive High Dam and Lake Nasser, and watching the feluccas glide by as the sun sets over the Nile is about as moving as any travel experience gets.

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Aswan is most popular with Egyptologists and the generally curious looking for interesting excursion possibilities. A pleasant place to spend a few days while touring or a good base for a week or two's winter holiday, although there is no beach.

Extending 3 mls from N to S along the Nile and 1¾ mls from E to W, Aswan is often considered the poor relation to Luxor and has never fully geared itself up for mass-market, winter-sun tourism. The town's riverside walk, or corniche, is pleasant enough but the streets just behind this are unsophisticated, with the usual market and souvenir shopping bazaars set among a mix of tumbledown old buildings and more modern offerings.

The town's charm doesn't lie in the streets, however, but along the Nile, which is dotted with islands at this point. Accommodation here suits most pockets and expectations, although overall quality and modernity lag behind that of Western properties of comparable star ratings.

Although Aswan has no beach it does have the Nile, which helps create a resort-type atmosphere. However, swimming or even dipping your toes in the river can cause waterborne diseases or exotic infections, hence is not advised.

Other attractions in Aswan include:

sightseeing including local temple and tomb visits; Nile cruises; a river ride on a graceful felucca is almost obligatory; Nubian Museum and traditional Egyptian cultural events, including music and dancing, at Aswan Cultural Centre. Alternatives appear to be sunbathing around the hotel pool or bargain hunting in the teeming bazaars.

By night Aswan is limited to 1 or 2 of the more upmarket hotels and assorted bars. There are a handful of minor nightspots but generally insalubrious and ignored by tourists.

Excursion here consist of half day and full day trips to: local sights including Elephantine Island, Aga Khan Mausoleum, Kitchener's Island Botanical Gardens, Unfinished Obelisk, Monastery of St Simeon and Tombs of the Nobles; High Dam; Philae Temple on Agilika Island (with evening sound and light shows); various temples including Kom Ombo (28 mls N of Aswan) and Edfu (77 mls N); temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II. Organised excursions, picking up at hotels, are the norm though it is quite easy to arrange independent sightseeing using taxis and boats.

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Population: 77.505.800
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely under
Currency: Egyptian pound
Currency code: EGP
Local Times:
Egypt - Cairo

Country Dialling Code: +20
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

Egypt is synonymous with Pharaohs, the pyramids, temples and antiquities from ancient civilisations. And at the centre of these great civilisations lies the Nile River that has influenced their economics, social life, politics and religion. It is the oldest travel destination on earth: Greek and Roman travellers came in 430 BC to wonder at some of the very sights that make it a modern travel destination today. The magnificence of the painted Valley of the Kings, exquisite temples and the pyramids were all sought-after subjects of admiration, and many were already 2,500 years old!

From desert landscapes and dry, rugged mountains that reach to the sea, dusty cities full of exotic sounds and smells, and green strips of agricultural land snaking along the banks of the Nile, Egypt has something to offer all travellers from all walks of life. Spectacular diving in the Red Sea; unique desert experiences, whether on the back of a camel to Mount Sinai or on a jeep safari to the inner oases; the colour and chaos of Cairo and its markets; and felucca cruises on the Nile River are just some of the exotic attractions awaiting visitors. Egypt promises an unforgettable experience of history and relaxation - a mixture of discovery and pleasure.

Near Cairo you'll find the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the ancient capital at Memphis, while in Upper Egypt there's the Valley of the Kings; the temples at Luxor, Karnak, Deir el-Bahri (Hatshepsut), Edfu, Dendera, Kom Ombo and Philae; the awesome twin temples of Abu Simbel, and a wealth of vast statues, temples and monuments in between.

In fact, just when you think you've seen everything, the sands and seas give up some new wonder: a valley of golden mummies, Cleopatra's palace, a new cache of statues, or yet another tomb.

There's the promise of new man-made attractions, too - the foundation stone has just been laid for a huge new Egyptian museum near the Pyramids and a re-creation of the great library of ancient Alexandria is about to open.

Luxurious new resorts are being built alongside established tourist areas, ever-expanding the choice for holidaymakers.

For watersports, fantastic beaches and some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world, head for the Red Sea resorts - Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Nuweiba, Taba, Dahab and Marsa Alam.

Looking for adventure? The Sinai Peninsula offers the remote St Katherine's Monastery, site of Moses' Burning Bush, the Coloured Canyon, camel and jeep safaris and camping out in Bedouin-style tents. And if you really want to get off the beaten track, there are the oases of the Western Desert to explore.

But perhaps the country's best asset is its people: you'll find the Egyptians warm and welcoming whichever area you visit, and always keen to share their culture and incredible heritage.