Aswan

Aswan is a busy market and tourist centre located just north of the Aswan Dam on the east bank of the Nile at the first cataract. The city was the southern frontier of Ancient Egypt. Aswan's local quarries supplied granite to many ancient Egyptian monuments, and these quarries are still operating todayThe modern city has expanded and includes the formerly separate community on the island of Elephantine. Aswan is considered a global tourist winter destination.

Aswan, called Sunn by the ancient Egyptians, is one of the most important cities in the south of Egypt, and acted as its southern gateway throughout history. As necessary stop for all traders and merchants coming from Nubia through the Nile, it was the link between Egypt and Africa. Aswan is the site of many archaeological sites and important landmarks such as the island of Elephantine, the ancient Egyptian granite quarries including the Unfinished Obelisk, the Coptic monastery of St Simeon, and the Nubian Museum.