59. Egypt - Aswan Dam & Temple of Isis

The Aswan High Dam is one of the world's largest embankment dams, which was built across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt, between 1960 and 1970, 60 years after the Low Aswan Dam. With its ability to better control flooding, provide increased water storage for irrigation and generate hydroelectricity, the dam was seen as pivotal to Egypt's industrialization.

Our guide described this as one of the most important industrial accomplishments in Egypt. It is guarded by the military, with the acknowledgement that the entire Aswan province would be flooded in 6 hours should the dam be compromised.

The dam was responsible for the creation of Nasser Lake, and at about 300 miles long and 10 miles wide, it is the second largest man-made lake in the world. The lake shares a border with Sudan, with 83% of the lake in Egypt.

We also went to the Temple of Isis, aka the Philae temple, which is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Dam.Read more