Stretching across the Nile, just beyond the First Cataract, the Aswan Dam was built by the British between 1898 and 1902. At the time of its construction it was the largest dam in the world, and it height was twice raised in an effort to control the river. The roads to Abu Simbel and the airport cross the dam and the view over the river and islands are stunning.
Built between 1960 and 1971, the immense High Dam is 3,830 m across, 111 m high and 980 m wide at its base. At the eastern end of the dam there is a visitors' pavilion detailing the construction of the dam and at the western end there is a lotus-shaped tower, built to commemorate the Soviet Union's support in the building of the dam.
