HISTORIC ARTICLE

Jul 21, 1970 CE: Aswan Dam Completed

On July 21, 1970, Egyptian engineers completed the Aswan Dam, which controls the flow of the Nile River.

Grades

9 - 12

Subjects

Engineering, Geography, Physical Geography

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On July 21, 1970, engineers completed the Aswan Dam in southern Egypt. The Aswan Dam controls the flow of the Nile River. People in Egypt and Sudan depend on the Nile for drinking water, hygiene, agriculture, and industry. The dam provides a steady flow of water, so people are protected from floods and drought. As water flows through the dam, it also creates electricity. When the Aswan Dam opened, it provided about half of all the electricity used in Egypt! The Aswan Dam is one of the biggest man-made structures in the world. It is so big, it flooded a 3,000-year-old temple from Ancient Egypt. Archaeologists and engineers carefully moved the temple’s 6-story statues to a hill above the dam.

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Writer

National Geographic Society

Producer

National Geographic Society

other

Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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