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    Introduction

    by Frommers Travel Guides

    Located at the strategically vital chokepoint of the first cataracts on the Nile, Aswan has long been a vital military and trade center and a border point of sorts. To the south, lies Nubia, and beyond Nubia, Sudan; Aswan has the feel of bein... Continue reading »

  • Planning

    Planning a trip

    by Frommers Travel Guides

    Getting There By Plane -- Unless you're particularly fond of train travel, or on a tight budget that makes time less important than money, flying is the best way to get to Aswan. There are upwards of ten flights a day out of Cairo, and the... Continue reading »

Abu Simbel Travel Experiences

Traveler Photos of Abu Simbel

The Sun Temple at Abu Simbel epitomizes Ramses' megalomaniacal tendencies. The temple was precisely oriented so that the sun's rays illuminated its sanctuary on his birthday and on his coronation. All hail Ramses II! That smug look would likely be wiped off of Ramses' face if he knew that to save the temple from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, the Egyptian government had the whole thing disassembled and moved to higher ground, shifting the dates of the sun's illumination of the inner sanctuary each by a day! Ramses II had these four gigantic statues of himself hewn into the side of a mountain to impress his power and majesty on the Nubians. It was strategically situated near Egypt's southernmost border so as to be the first impression of Egypt for travellers crossing over from Africa.
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