What to see and visit in the Nile River Valley?
The area surrounding the capital of Egypt has many important sites that are often not visited by tourists as they are not on the typical itineraries. If you have time these lesser known regions can bring another view of Egypt to your trip.
in the Nile River Valley If you do not have much time people usually do not visit the villages between Cairo and Luxor, but with little free time, I recommend you to visit these less touristic places. It is a less developed region, some farmers are still working by hand. This area had a very important role in the history of Egypt, proof of this is the large number of sites and ruins in the area.
The Nile, a long river that flows for more than 6,550 km, rises in the Great Lakes Plateau in the Mitmba Mountains in Uganda. The floods of the river are caused by the flow contributed by the tributaries Atbara and Blue Nile, which come down from the Ethiopian massif where the rains are very abundant in spring. Due to the geographical characteristics of the territory where it developed, the Egyptian civilization remained for millennia isolated and protected from outside influences, which allowed it to maintain its particular characteristics.
The Nile River is, literally, the life of Egypt. The great cities and towns are located along its banks. Along both banks, you can see stretches of agricultural land, where the population lives and works. This is the Black Land, the cultivated soil and here and there fig palms and other types of trees. The ancient Egyptians called it KMT (pronounced Kemet). Since ancient times, this land was made fertile every year by the overflow of the river, the gift of the Nile. The beautiful Nile of calm waters, the fertile black of its banks, the bright green of its crops and the reddish ochre that stretches to infinity.
All great minds have tried to find where the Nile River originates from the most distant times. But no one could give an exact answer, including famous travelers. In our time, it became known that it is created on the East African plateau and is directly related to the waters of the Kagera; the river flows into Lake Victoria. In this sense, we can explain the symbolic representation of the Nile under the appearance of a deity with a covered head.
The Nile River flows from the south of the equator and flows northward to reach the Mediterranean Sea. This great river has a length of 4,132 miles and drains an area of 1,293,000 square miles. Consequently, the title of being the longest river in the world belongs to the Nile River. It is now the second longest, after the Amazon.
The Blue Nile and the White Nile are the two tributaries that make up the Nile River. Beginning at Lake Victoria in Tanzania, the White Nile flows northward until it reaches Khartoum, Sudan. Here, the longer White Nile merges with the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.
The Nile divides into two districts called Rosetta Branch and Damietta to the west and east. This division forms the famous Nile Delta. Finally, the Nile River flows through northern Egypt and empties into the Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria.
Nile River Basin
The vital Nile River basin includes parts of several historical sites. The Mediterranean is bordered by the inlet to the north, the Ethiopian Plateau to the east, Lake Victoria to the south, and a watershed between the Nile, Chad, and Congo basins to the west. The Nile River basin extends to approximately one-tenth of the area of the continent. It has therefore played a crucial role in the advancement and evolution of the civilizations of the ancient world. Thus, forming the historically rich basin of the Nile River.
The Nile is famous for its peculiarity: it does not dry up, it only overflows its banks in very intense heat. At the same time, the waters turned red and the flooded shores acquired a purple color. This peculiarity has an explanation: the red minerals fall into the river from its glaciers, which have already melted and colored it.
The Nile is a river that has had a considerable impact on the history of our civilization. From a very early age, children learn about the importance of the Nile in school. In addition, the Nile is the longest river in the world and has left a significant mark in our history books.
Nile River Valley Mention in World History
Mention of the Nile River begins from ancient scrolls as old as time to make its presence known in today’s modern pop culture. It is easy to say that the Nile River is timeless.
Historically, the ancient poem Odyssey mentions Aigyptos as the name of the Nile and the country of Egypt through which the river flows. Ancient Egypt, one of the most extraordinary civilizations, was born along the fertile banks of the Nile River around 3000 BC.
The area surrounding the capital of Egypt has many important sites that are often not visited by tourists as they are not on the typical itineraries. If you have time these lesser known regions can bring another view of Egypt to your trip.
1. Beni Hassan
The necropolis of Beni Hassan occupies much of the limestone cliffs of the eastern shore, 20 km south of Menia.
It enjoys an extraordinary and important location and the added attraction of a rest house, although it is currently open only occasionally; water and food are recommended. Most of the tombs are from the 11th and 12th dynasties [2125-1795 BC], the 39 tombs at the top belonged to nomarchs (local governors). Many are unfinished and only four are open, but they are worth visiting for the fascinating insight they offer into the daily life and political tensions of that period.
2. Beni Suef
It is a provincial capital and an important transportation hub between Cairo and Luxor, and the Red Sea and Al Fayum.
From ancient times until at least the 16th century, it was famous for its linen. In the 19th century, it was still important enough (at least in the textile trade) to have an American consulate, but today there is little to interest you other than seeing a provincial town.
3. Al Fayum
Two hours from Cairo is the great salt lake Qarun, and the arid, monotonous plains give way to an incredible patchwork of agricultural land, sunflowers waving in the breeze, and tall date palms with water buffalo resting in their shadows.
This fertile and extensive basin, about 70×60 km, is considered an oasis, although the water actually comes from the Nile through small canals, many dug long ago.
4. Nile Delta
North of Cairo, the Nile forks to enter the Mediterranean at the ancient ports of Damietta and Rosetta, forming one of the most fertile and cultivated regions in the world. With a myriad of canals, the lush delta region offers a peaceful contrast to the hustle and bustle of Cairo and the austerity of the desert.
5. Tanta
Tanta is the largest city in the Nile Delta and really doesn’t have much to offer. It is a good place to discover provincial life.
It is an important center of Sufism and houses a huge mosque dedicated to Al Sayyed Ahmed Al Badawi.
6. Menia
The “bride of Upper Egypt” (Arous as-Sa’id), is on the border between Upper and Lower Egypt. This provincial capital, with wide tree-lined streets, wide promenade and some dilapidated buildings of the early twentieth century, has one of the most pleasant urban centers of Upper Egypt.
7. Tell Al Amarna
In the fifth year of his reign, Pharaoh Akhenaten [1352-1336 BC] and his queen Nefertiti abandoned the gods and priests of Karnak and founded a new religion based on the worship of a single deity, Aten, god of the sun disk. They also built a new capital, Aketaton (Aten’s horizon), now known as Tell Al Amarna.
8. Asiut
It offers a vision of Egypt very different from that of Cairo or Luxor: it is a provincial capital of the agricultural communities of the area. Founded in Pharaonic times on a fertile plain west of the Nile, it has retained an ancient resonance in the name, as Sauty was the capital of the thirteenth nomo of Upper Egypt.
9. Suhag
Suhag is in one of the most important Coptic Christian areas of Upper Egypt. Although the city has hardly any points of interest, the nearby White and Red monasteries are worth a visit, and the town of Ajmin, across the river, is interesting.
10. Esna
Most visitors go to Esna, 64 km south of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile, for the temple of Jnum; but this busy little agricultural town has its own charms. In the harbor, next to the temple, are several 19th-century houses with intricate mashrabiyya (latticework).
North of the temple is a beautiful but abandoned Ottoman caravanserai (Wikalat Al Gedawi; next to the Temple of Jnum), Wikalat Al Gedawi, once the commercial center of Esna.
Developments on the banks of the Nile
They began to develop the river in Egypt about 20,000 years ago and completed development in the sixth millennium BC. Fertile soils passing near the banks of the Nile attracted people to settle. Undoubtedly, the settlement of the river silt formed these fertile lands. Every year, at the same time, the water level in the river rose.
The Egyptians used primitive tools to cultivate these lands with ease. The enormous quantity of fish attracted new settlers. Gradually, a great civilization began to form along the banks of the river. Thanks to this river, Egypt owes its history. If there were no life-giving floods of this river, then the territory of Egypt would have long ago turned into a desert.
“Egypt” is the gift of the Nile, as the ancient Greek writers claimed. The Nile is the only river that crosses the Sahara and carries its waters to the Mediterranean Sea. Based on this, we can safely say that the Nile is the source of life in the waterless desert. The entire Nile valley is a vast oasis. The most important feature of the river is its annual floods. The water arrived in mid-July, reaching its highest level in autumn, filling vast coastal spaces.
Irrigation systems
Due to the annual spills, it became necessary to create an irrigation system. It was essential to distribute the excess moisture from the land surface evenly and in time to eliminate water shortages and waterlogging of the soil. Thanks to this, it was possible to accumulate food in large quantities to feed all the workers. It influenced the accumulation of wealth and the stratification of society. All the events that took place led to the emergence of a state in the Nile Valley.
Papyrus manufacture of Nile River Valley
Papyrus was of great wealth. A large part grew in the territory of Lower Egypt, in the Nile Delta. Lower Egypt is a land of swampy thickets, so the ancients designated it with a papyrus bush. The ancient Egyptians made papyrus paper and created clothing, candles, mattresses, ropes and shoes from the inner bark. From the softer parts of papyrus, the Egyptians made juice, which was very sweet. People ate its tender shoots raw and fried the lower part. Thanks to papyrus, writing became widely available and, as it spread, writing signs began to diminish and simplify.
It is safe to say that the fertile lands of the Nile contributed to the development of writing. Because of the abundant and bountiful harvests, record keeping became necessary on large estates. In addition, annual spills influenced the development of astronomy and the calendar. After all, it was essential to know the dates of river flooding. The welfare and economy of the country depended on it.
The Nile River Valley is an excellent source of mythology.
The Nile River had great reverence; therefore, the ancient Egyptians divided the year into three seasons according to the floods of the river. Accordingly, they divided each season into four months each, namely flood, sowing, and harvest. Ancient mythology suggested that the flooding of the Nile arises from the tears of Isis mourning the death of her husband, Osiris.
Nile Flood Day Celebration
The Nile no longer floods the coast due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. However, modern Egyptians continue to celebrate this event with a holiday that begins on August 15 and lasts approximately two weeks. Egyptians prepare boats designed in pharaonic style with flowers, joyful chanting, dancing and colorful costumes to honor their ancestors. Of course, it is a beautiful way to thank the mighty river for its loyalty and love. The Nile River is not only of historical significance, but it also takes tourists on a journey of discovery. Travelers can witness iconic sites and understand the importance of the Nile River and the history associated with this majestic river.
Comparison between the Nile River Valley and other rivers
If you compare the Nile with other rivers, you may notice the main difference: it starts its course from south to north, unlike other rivers from north to south. Ninety-five percent of the Egyptian population lives near the banks of the river. Another feature of the Nile is that it is home to a particular type of perch: the Nile, whose weight can be around 140 kg. Nile crocodiles are the second largest crocodiles in the world. Males can reach 5.5 m in length and weigh up to 200 kg. These species are man-eating crocodiles.
On the very shore of the Nile River, there is intense heat; the temperature reaches +50 degrees. Rainfall is sporadic here. Therefore, rainfall occurs only a few times a year and exclusively in the lands of the Nile delta.
The fauna of the Nile is famous for its diversity. It is home to a wide variety of fish and turtles. Incidentally, there are all kinds of snakes and cobras, and there are more than 300 different species of birds. Migratory birds flock here during the winter.
Conclusion of Nile River Valley
To sum up, the Nile witnessed the rise of civilizations on its banks. In particular, it has played an influential and vital role in the history and power of the ancient Egyptians. Today, the Nile River still gives life to all the people who live along its banks.
Finally, Egypt is a dream vacation destination for those who want to discover the extraordinary world of antiquity. Enjoy your vacation in Egypt with vacation packages to Egypt
