"Lake Nasser is a great human project, it is a huge water reservoir rather than a lake."

Lake Nasser is the world's largest man-made lake, which was created in the 1960s after the foundation of the "High Dam" or Al-sadd Al-cali, which is considered one of most impressive contemporary project in the world in this domain for providing irrigation and electricity for the country.

This artificial lake, which is named for the prominent Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser (1956-1970), is 500-km length that covers an area of 5,248 km2. One third of the lakes length belongs to Sudan for about 150 km and it is called Nubia Lake. Its width is varying from 10 to 30 km. Its main depth is 25.2 km and maximum depth is 130 m so its water capacity is for about 157 billion m3, that's why it is considered as the second largest after the Zambezi.

The foundation of Lake Nasser had threatened the temples of Abu Simbel, erected by King Ramses II around 1200 BC it stood on the land of the lake so it would be drowned by the water causing the destruction of one of the greatest human heritages.

In addition for about 10 000 Nubian people had moved their homes because they lived on the land Lake Nasser.

Uses of Lake Nasser
The Lake Nas er is a reservoir of the flooded water from the front body of the High Dam and it is being used for numerous advantage purposes.

1- Lake Nasser's main purpose was to save water for the country especially in the hard time of the Nile famine.
2- The water is used for hydroelectricity production.
3- It improved the state of irrigation of the Dam and the lake.
4- Farmers use water from Lake Nasser to irrigate their crops.
5- In the field of tourism, more than 5 luxury cruises are sailing up and down the lake in a unique trip that might take all the archaeological sights along the banks of the Lake, plus a wonderful fishing campaign.

The environment of the lake
The lake is remote and thinly populated by peasant fishermen; the local residents are Bedouin camel and sheep shepherds who are occasionally seen grazing their flocks on the thin vegetation at the edge of the lake. The main economical activity around the Lake is fishing in which 80,000 tons of fish are caught every year. There are about thirty-two species of Fish in Lake Nasser like the Tiger Fish and the catfish. Also there are two species of Tulip.

In addition, there are an impressive variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. More than 100 species of birds have been recorded such as the wild duck, Egyptian ducks, pelicans, herons, egrets and various species of hawks, kites, falcons and eagles will be among the birds seen. In most areas there are crocodile and monitor lizards, other types of wildlife include Dorks gazelle, jackals, desert fox, and various smaller desert mammals.