Funding for Aswan High Dam came from the Soviet Union.

Some of the historical sites were not moved and are submerged under the lake.

Lake Nasser has an average depth of 83 ft. and a maximum depth of 590 ft.

The prior Sudanese river-port and railway terminal of Wadi Halfa was submerged under the lake.

The UNESCO Nubia Campaign resulted in 22 monuments and architectural complexes being moved with the help of 40 technical missions from five continents.

Lake Nasser was created from the construction of the Aswan High Dam, built across the Nile between 1958 and 1971 to control flood waters and harness the hydroelectric power. It is named after Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt’s president from 1956 to 1970 and the biggest proponent of this controversial dam.

Archeologists became concerned about the ancient treasures that would be flooded by the dam, and in the 1960s, UNESCO launched a rescue operation. Many ancient archeological sites—including the Temples of Abu Simbel and Amada—were painstakingly dismantled stone by stone and moved to higher ground. However, while many temples were moved, Lake Nasser flooded much of lower Nubia and over a hundred thousand people were forced to relocate as their villages disappeared. Today, Lake Nasser is a gateway for visitors to many of the ancient temples and archaeological sites. It also has become popular for sport fishing.

Lake Nasser is 342 miles long, 22 miles across its widest point, and has a surface area of 2,027 sq. miles. The inflow and outflow comes primarily from the Nile River. Roughly 83% of the lake is in Egypt and called Lake Nasser. The remaining portion is in Sudan and called Lake Nubia. Many bird and animal species have settled into the lake, including the Nile crocodile and 32 fish species. The lake is one of the most important sources of Egypt’s freshwater fish.

Lake Nasser is a reservoir created in the 1960s when the Aswan High Dam was built to harness the waters of the Nile. Located at the border between Egypt and Sudan, it is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world and plays a large role in the fishing industry as well as the local and national economy. As you sail along this marvelous lake, cross the Tropic of Cancer, see ancient temples and archaeological treasures, and enjoy its varied shorelines—hilly and rugged desert, or flat and sandy with clean freshwater beaches. The lake is remote and sparsely populated by fishermen and Bedouin camel and sheep herdsmen.

Fast Facts

Countries: Egypt and Sudan

Inflows and Outflows: The Nile River

Length: 342 miles long and 22 miles across at its widest point

Surface Area: 2,027 sq. miles

Located on the border between Egypt and Sudan, the man-made Lake Nasser is one of the largest lakes of its kind in the world. This vast reservoir was created as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam across the waters of the Nile. The reservoir, constructed between 1958 and 1970, is named after President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who is responsible for the controversial High Dam project.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a comfortable cruise or participate in the search for the Nile perch (a 2 meter long freshwater monster) with the local fisherman. The lake, being rich in fish and sparsely populated by fisherman, is quite the fisherman’s dream. While the fisherman fish, the tourists can explore. The combination of monuments, pyramids, and temples create a land of exploration. Sail across the Tropic of Cancer to Aswan and enjoy breathtaking sites while taking in the Egyptian culture.

It is highly recommended that you make arrangements for cruises, fishing trips, and organized tours through local travel experts before your visit to Egypt. Through such preparation, you can be sure no events are left out and your travel discoveries will be limitless.

From exploring the ancient temples to relaxing along the white sandy beaches, Lake Nasser will be the memorable experience you are looking for. From the temples to the water, the fish to the sunsets, this will surely be your most peaceful vacation ever. Pack your suits and don’t forget that camera; we are going to Lake Nasser with Avalon Waterways today.

In China, the Mekong River is called the Lancang Jiang, meaning “Turbulent River.”

The name derives from the Thai language’s Mae Nam, meaning “Mother of Water.”

In 2009, 145 new species were described from the Mekong Region, including two new bird species, five mammals, 96 plants, six new amphibians, and 29 fish species previously unknown to science.

The Mekong has more large fish—including the Mekong giant catfish, which can weigh up to 660 lbs. and grow to be almost 10 ft.—than any other river.

The Mekong River Basin is almost the size of France and Germany put together.

It would take 48 hours of driving at roughly 62 MPH to drive the same distance as the length of the Mekong River.

In Vietnam, cruise the massive Mekong Delta that covers an area of some 15,000 square miles. This picturesque area is dotted by rice paddies, fish farms, fruit orchards, and more. The rice produced in the delta accounts for over half of Vietnam’s rice production, so it’s no surprise that it is commonly referred to as the “rice bowl” of the country.

Near the end of the Mekong River is Cai Be. Close to Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be is best known for its busy floating market, where locals transport goods to the market via rafts and boats. Nearby is Sa Dec, where the French writer Marguerite Duras lived. Duras had a love affair with Huynh Thuy Le, the son of a wealthy Chinese family, which became the inspiration for the film L’Amant-The Lover. The public can now tour the house of Huynh Thuy Le.

Chau Doc, situated near the Cambodian border, is one of Vietnam’s most multicultural cities with large Cham, Chinese, Khmer, and Vietnamese communities. The influence of these communities can be seen in their places of worship—mosques, temples, and churches—making it an interesting town to visit. See nearby Sam Mountain, with its beautiful views and numerous pagodas and temples.

After crossing the Cambodia border, visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital and largest city. The capital since the French colonized Cambodia, Phnom Penh has retained its French charm and is the center of politics, economics, and heritage. Here, learn about the sobering Khmer Rouge regime. Other highlights include the Killing Fields, National Museum, Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda.

The quaint and charming town of Kampong Cham is an important trade and transportation center on the Mekong. Cambodia’s third largest city, Kampong Cham’s history—dating back many centuries—can be seen in its archeological treasures. Nearby is Wat Hanchey, a temple dating back to the 8th century, where you can enjoy spectacular views. Also nearby are the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (man and woman hill), where you will see the beautiful stupa as well as two huge Buddha statues.

Tonle Sap (Great Lake) is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and has been designated as a UNESCO biosphere. After the rainy season, the Tonle Sap backs up to form a huge lake, which provides the perfect breeding ground for fish, providing food for the people living in the floating villages on the lake. This is the most picturesque part of your journey as the river narrows and passes through villages and woodlands.

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular ruins on earth. These ancient temples, built between the 9th and 13th centuries, are unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. See many of the temples, including spectacular Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century and honoring the Hindu god Vishnu, and Banteay Srei, the 10th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

The Mekong River is steeped in a long history, and for thousands of years, it has been the lifeline of the populations that depend on it for survival. The earliest settlements along the river date to 2100 BC with the first recorded civilization—the Indianised-Khmer culture of Funan—dating to the 1st century. Excavations have uncovered coins from as far away as the Roman Empire. In the 5th century, the Khmer culture Chenla existed along the Mekong, and the Khmer empire of Angkor was the last great Indianized state in the region. Roughly 700 years ago, the Thai people escaped from South China across the Mekong to form the kingdom of Siam (now Thailand), and the Mekong protected Siam from invasions. The same ethnic group also settled in Laos.

In 1540, the Portuguese Antonio de Faria was the first European to discover the Mekong. Although Europeans showed only some interest in the Mekong, the Spaniards and Portuguese did launch some missionary and trade expeditions to the area, and the Dutch led an expedition up the Mekong in 1641-42. In the mid-19th century, the French led an exploration on the river between 1866 to 1868 and discovered that the Mekong had too many rapids and waterfalls to ever be useful for navigation. From 1893, the French enlarged their control of the river into Laos until the First and Second Indochina Wars ended French involvement in the region.

During the Vietnam War, the west bank of the Mekong provided a basis for raids against the advance of the communist armies in Laos. After the war, anti-communist forces fled west across the Mekong to refugee camps in northern Thailand. The tensions between the U.S.-backed Thai government and the new Communist governments in the other countries prohibited cooperation on the river’s use.

The Mekong has long been regarded as the foundation of Southeast Asia’s economic growth and prosperity—necessitating cooperation between the countries. In 1995, the “Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin” signed by the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam formed the Mekong River Commission (MRC). The MRC facilitates joint management of the shared water resources and collaboration on development issues. In 1996, China and Burma became Dialogue Partners of the MRC.

Today, peace has returned to the Mekong, and much of it remains undeveloped and even unexplored. It is closely tied to the daily lives and culture of over 60 million people—people who depend on it for transportation as well as for water for cooking, irrigation, cleaning, and sanitation. For these 60 million—many of whom live in poverty—the fish and other resources in the river account for most of the protein in their diets and for their survival. However, life along the river is changing, as China has already constructed large dams on the river with plans for many more.

The Mekong River connects six countries in Southeast Asia and flows through six distinct geographical regions, each with characteristic features of elevation, topography, and land cover. It originates on the Tibetan Plateau and flows down to the mountainous area through the Yunnan Province in the Hengduan Mountains. After leaving China, it forms the border between Laos and Myanmar (Burma) for roughly 62 miles. It then creates the border between Thailand and Laos, and flows east and south into Laos for roughly 250 miles. This stretch through Laos is characterized by gorges, rapids, and shallow depths during the dry season. It then marks the border between Thailand and Laos again before it passes through the capital of Laos. This is followed by a short stretch through Laos alone, including the region above Khone Falls, which are mostly too treacherous for river traffic.

Below Laos, it becomes much wider and before it crosses into Cambodia, the Mekong comes together with the Mun River. In Cambodia, it receives the Sap River and flows through the capital of Cambodia. As it goes into Vietnam, the Mekong slows and splits into smaller channels of the Mekong Delta. It finally discharges into the South China Sea.