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Information about Aswan
- Location
-Aswan governorate is located in the southern part of Egypt,It is surrounded from the north by the Keena governorate, from the east there is the Red Sea governorate, on the west there is the New Valley governorate and finally from the south there the Republic of the Sudan.
-Aswan is 886 k.m south of cairo and consider to be the best winter resort in Egypt even all over the whole world. There you can find warm dry weather,even the boats sealing over the Nile surface complete the beauty of the scene.
- Aswan names
was (Sono) the name of Aswan in ancient Egyptian language and it means the market whereas it was a famous trade area. Then came the Greek and changed its name to be "Ceen", but then the Coptic called it "Swan" finally in the sixth century the Arab pronounced it "Aswan".
- Therapy tourism
- Aswan is famous by the therapy tourism; it is the destination for those who want to be cured from many diseases such as rheumatism that was cured by primary means by covering the patient's body by the hot desert sands.
- Distance between Aswan and Around cities
Luxor 280k.m (3 hours)
kom Ombo 45 km north of Aswan.
Edfu 123 km north of Aswan.
Abu-Simple 280km south of Aswan.
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What to see at Aswan
1- High Dam :
Built in 1902 AD south of Aswan, it signaled the beginning of modern irrigation in Egypt.
The aim of this water project was to prevent the river's flooding, generate electricity and provide water for agriculture.
2- The Unfinished Obelisk :
This huge unfinished obelisk measures 41 metres in length and 4 metres square at the base. Much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from quarries in the Aswan area.It is unfinished Because a fatal crack was discovered - one too deep to be dealt with. Because of it, the obelisk could not be the one-piece job that was required.Today we are grateful that the crack appeared, because the unfinished obelisk gives us an insight into how these magnificent structures were created we would otherwize simply not have.
3- Phila island (temple of Isis) :
One of the main sites visited by almost every tour to Egypt is what is billed as Philae This temple is a modern complex,it is dates back to the ptolemaic and late roman rule.
Philae is an Greek rendering of the local name "Pilak" known from hieroglyphic texts and which may be Nubian in origin.
4- Elephantine Island :
Elephantine is Greek for elephant. In ancient times, the Island, It is believed that the island received it's name because it was a major ivory trading center, though in fact, it was a major trading post of many commodities,And consider to be the largest in Aswan.
The island is very beautiful, and while many of the artifacts there are in ruin, there is still considerable to see,wondering among the Nubian villages where the people are friendly and the houses are often very colorful.
5- Kitchner's Island :
The Island was given to Lord Kitchner for his campaigns in the Sudan, and he moved their and created his garden, importing plants and trees from all over the world. Today, the Egyptian government operates this popular tourist destination
Kitchner's Island is a botanical garden, filled with exotic rare plants and trees imported from all over the world. It is a perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon in the shade. The island must be reached by boat, and is located on the other side of Elephantine island from Aswan.
6- The Nubian Museum :
Located east of the old city, the museum houses a number of important relics from Greco-Roman times,collected from Aswan and Nubia.
7- The Agha Khan Mausoleum :
The Mausoleum of the late leader of the Ismaili sect in india. The Aga Khan was extremely wealthy. On his birthday in 1945, he was weighed in diamonds which he then distributed to his followers. It should be noted, also, that he was a large man. Every day that his widow Omme Habibeh was at the Villa, she places a Red Rose on his white Carrara marble tomb. It is an exquisite example of It is made out of granite and is considered a very elegant pink granite structure of late 1950 origin, which also resembles the Fatimid tombs in Cairo. the mausoleum is Not open to the public now.But you can see it when you are in a felucca on your way to visit Elephantine island from the nile.
8- The Monastery of St Simeon (Deir Amba Sama’an) :
Dating back to the 6th century AD, the Monastery is one of the most intact Coptic monasteries, comprises of a church with paintings showing Christ and the Saints.
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The monuments around Aswan
1- Temple of Kom-Obo :
Located in the town of Kom-Ombo, about 45k.m north of Aswan, the Temple, dating to the Ptolemies, is built on a high dune overlooking the Nile. The Temple known as Kom Ombo is actually two temples consisting of a Temple to Sobek and a Temple of Haroeris.
2- Temple of Edfu (temple of Horus) :
 
This is not only the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but the second largest after Karnak. It was believed that the temple was built on the site of the great battle between Horus and Seth And Dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed god, it was built during the reigns of six Ptolemies.
3- Nassar Lake and the temples around :
Lake Nasser. Created as a result of the Aswan High Dam, the lake covers a 500-km2 region known in antiquity as Nubia. To salvage the area's rich archeological heritage, UNESCO launched the Nubian Campaign in 1960, an effort involving 54 countries over a period of 20 years. Today, Lake Nasser and the monuments relocated on its shores are accessible to travelers with a passion for discovery and a taste for comfort with many cruises which you can spend 3 or 4 nights on its.
4- Temple of Abu-simple :
It is 280 k.m from aswan Even if it's not included in your "tour", you should definitely add it if you can -- this was without a doubt the most spectacular site as Not only are the two temples at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself.
When the conservation efforts to preserve the temple from the soon-to be built High Aswan Dam and its rising waters were begun in the 1960s, images of the colossal statues filled newspapers and books. The temples were dismantled and relocated The operation cut the monument into 1050 pieces and reassembled it on a manmade cliff side 61 meters the two temples were dismantled and raised over 60 meters up the sandstone cliff in 1968 on the desert plateau, 200 feet above and 600 feet west of their original location.
The town of Abu Simbel is small and quiet (the name means "Father of the Ear of Corn"), and has only a few hotels open to tourists.
5- The Temple of Kalabsha :
Dating back to the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus (30 BC—14 AD), the temple was moved from its original site 55 km south of Aswan, on the west bank, and rebuilt near the High Dam. A 30m causeway leads up from the water's edge, which is used for those arriving by boat It is one of the largest sandstone temples in Nubia. Its walls are covered with texts and inscriptions depicting Egyptian deities such as Isis, Osiris and others.
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