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Lake Nasser

About Lake Nasser

• Overview
• Fast Facts
• Geography
• History
• Highlights
• Cruiser Profile
• Did You Know?

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Overview

Lake Nasser is a reservoir created in the 1960s when the Aswan High Dam was built to harness the waters of the Nile. Located at the border between Egypt and Sudan, it is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world and plays a large role in the fishing industry as well as the local and national economy. As you sail along this marvelous lake, cross the Tropic of Cancer, see ancient temples and archaeological treasures, and enjoy its varied shorelines—hilly and rugged desert, or flat and sandy with clean freshwater beaches. The lake is remote and sparsely populated by fishermen and Bedouin camel and sheep herdsmen.

Fast Facts

• Countries: Egypt and Sudan
• Inflows and Outflows: The Nile River
• Length: 342 miles long and 22 miles across at its widest point
• Surface Area: 2,027 sq. miles

Geography

Lake Nasser is 342 miles long, 22 miles across its widest point, and has a surface area of 2,027 sq. miles. The inflow and outflow comes primarily from the Nile River. Roughly 83% of the lake is in Egypt and called Lake Nasser. The remaining portion is in Sudan and called Lake Nubia. Many bird and animal species have settled into the lake, including the Nile crocodile and 32 fish species. The lake is one of the most important sources of Egypt's freshwater fish.

History

Lake Nasser was created from the construction of the Aswan High Dam, built across the Nile between 1958 and 1971 to control flood waters and harness the hydroelectric power. It is named after Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt's president from 1956 to 1970 and the biggest proponent of this controversial dam.

Archeologists became concerned about the ancient treasures that would be flooded by the dam, and in the 1960s, UNESCO launched a rescue operation. Many ancient archeological sites—including the Temples of Abu Simbel and Amada—were painstakingly dismantled stone by stone and moved to higher ground. However, while many temples were moved, Lake Nasser flooded much of lower Nubia and over a hundred thousand people were forced to relocate as their villages disappeared. Today, Lake Nasser is a gateway for visitors to many of the ancient temples and archaeological sites. It also has become popular for sport fishing.

The currents of the Yangtze River proved difficult for travel until the early 1900s, when the British Paddle-Steamer S.S. Pioneer became the first to make the upstream trip to Chongqing without the use of oars in the winter season. Today, the waters of the Yangtze have become an engineering marvel due to the development of the Three Gorges Dam which is set to be complete in 2011. This dam will be known as the largest in the world, producing energy that is equal to fifteen nuclear power plants.

Highlights

At the southern end of the lake sits Abu Simbel, where you will board your cruise. The Temples of Abu Simbel—the Great Temple of Abu Simbel and the Temple of Hathor—were built by Ramses II in approximately 1244 BC to impress Egypt's Nubian neighbors and to reinforce the status of Egyptian religion in the region. In 1968, they were carefully dismantled and rebuilt on higher ground as part of a massive UNESCO operation to save them from submersion in Lake Nasser. Nearby is Kasr Ibrim, the only major archaeological site in Nubia that still exists in its original location.

Sail to Amada to visit the Temple of Amada, the oldest Egyptian temple of Nubia. It claims the most well preserved wall reliefs of the Nubian style and is dedicated to the gods Amun-Ra and Ra-Hor-Akhty. Like the Temples of Abu Simbel, the Temple of Amada was saved from Lake Nasser and moved to higher ground. The Temple of Derr, built by Ramses II, was also moved to Amada.

Nearby is Wadi el-Seboua and the Temple of Dakka. Dedicated to Thot, god of wisdom, the Temple of Dakka offers fantastic views over the lake. Its construction began by the Nubian pharaoh, Arkamani, in the 3rd century BC and lasted until Roman Emperor Augustus.

Enjoy the fun as you sail across the Tropic of Cancer on the way to Aswan. In Aswan, feats of ancient architecture are juxtaposed with modern marvels of engineering like the High Dam and the Old Dam. The Old Dam was completed near the turn of the century, but it remains to this day the world's widest dam. The idyllic island of Agilika, located on the waters between the two dams, boasts the incredible Temple of Isis, transplanted from the submerged island of Philae. Construction of the Temple of Isis dates to the first centuries AD, and the worship of Isis continued here until 537.

Cruiser Profile

Lake Nasser's appeal is obvious—with its combination of rich archeological treasures, glorious sunsets, and a night sky full of clear stars. The ancient temples will enthrall and amaze travelers, while nature lovers will enjoy the desert landscapes and tranquil blue water scattered with rocky outcrops. The lake's serene backdrop offers a peaceful way for travelers to discover a rich combination of archaeological treasures and natural scenery.

Did You Know?

• Funding for Aswan High Dam came from the Soviet Union.
• Some of the historical sites were not moved and are submerged under the lake.
• Lake Nasser has an average depth of 83 ft. and a maximum depth of 590 ft.
• The prior Sudanese river-port and railway terminal of Wadi Halfa was submerged under the lake.
• The UNESCO Nubia Campaign resulted in 22 monuments and architectural complexes being moved with the help of 40 technical missions from five continents.

Lake Nasser Cruises

View river cruise deals & offers
Find a Lake Nasser cruise