The City of Aswan

Aswan is most recognized for being the home to the world's biggest structure; the Aswan High Dam. The dam was completed in 1970 and cost $1 billion. It was built to control flooding. The flooding that happened once a year helped the soil making it nutrient rich. Now the wall releases water during times of the drought. Other sites in Aswan include different temples on Philae island where they do a sound and light show. One of the best-known temples is the Temple of Abu Simbel. The figure of Ramses II is cut into a bluff. This is the second one built, the first was destroyed during a flood.