The first Aswan Dam was built twice between 1907 and 1912 and then between 1929 and 1933, but it did not reveal itself sufficient in controlling the Nile floods, so after the revolution of July 1952, President Nasser announced his proposal to build the dam, but met with the Western refusal to cooperate. He then turned to the Soviet Union for both technological and financial aid.
The result was the current rock-filled structure. Work began in January 1960 and it was inaugurated in June 1971.
Located at the second cataract of the Nile, this gigantic building is 111 meters high, 3.5 km long and about 1 km wide, when the locks are opened to their maximum they can release water at up to 11,000 ㎥/s.
It has a hydroelectric plant, with 6 turbines, capable of producing 2.1 million kilowatts, approximately half of the country's energy needs, and its construction made it possible to regulate the river's floods. Over time it is the dam is It has also become a source of income as a tourist attraction.
The construction made 10,000 square kilometers of desert cultivable.
At the time of the dam's creation, more of 100,000 people had to leave their native areas to avoid being submerged by the birth of Lake Nasser, the largest artificial lake in the world. longest in the world: 500 kilometers long, 16 kilometers wide, for a total of 6,000 square kilometers of water.
Lake Nasser also has an immense commercially exploited fish population and is has become a destination for tourist cruises.
In addition to the migration of the local population, the flooded area caused also the movement of 24 monuments and temples, including the largest famous are certainly those of Abu Simbel and Philae.
When it was decided to build the dam both archaeologists and UNESCO were scared of losing treasures underwater. Three months after the start of work on the construction of the dam, UNESCO launched a global appeal: "...if action is not taken before the Aswan Dam is completed, this priceless artistic heritage of humanity could disappear" .
Many responded to the call, mainly large construction companies and a huge team of nations.
The mighty temple complex was cut from the mountain, divided into one-by-one numbered blocks, moved and reassembled with pinpoint precision where they are today.
