Aswan

EGYPT's southernmost city, situated not far above the Tropic of Cancer, is the country's gateway to Africa, and Egypt's most beautiful winter resort. It lies on the eastern bank of the Nile, 899kms from Cairo and 215kms from Luxor. The mighty and beautiful Nile is Aswan's trademark. It weaves its way through amber desert and granite rocks, lush islands covered in palm groves and tropical plants. One can wander along the Corniche, or take a felucca and sail around Elephantine Island or around the tranquil botanicaples from various eras, including the Tomb of Khnum, an Egyptian god, the Trajan Temple, and Elephantine Museum. Kitchner's island -- named after Lord Horatio Kitchner who ruled the Egyptian army in late 19th century -- flourishes with botanical plants and trees, specially imported and rooted by Kitchner himself.

Over the centuries, Aswan has been a garrison town and a frontier city as well as a prosperous marketplace at the crossroads of ancient caravan routes. In ancient times, the area was known as Swenet, meaning "trade", a name that later became the Arabic "As- Suan", meaning "market".

Aswer exotic wares visited the city.

The exotic atmosphere of Aswan's back-street souqs is one of the city's highlights. Although the fabulous caravans no longer pass this way, the colour and activity of these markets and stalls recall those romantic times. On wandering through the small, narrow alleyways one might see, hear, smell and taste life as it has been for many centuries. From the souq of Aswan, a visitor can pick up everything from scents, spices, perfumes and scarves, to baskets and fine alabaster.

Aswan also boasts a number of Pharaonic, Graeco-Roman, Coptic, Islamic and modern monuments such as the unfinished obelisk, the Tombs of the Nobles, the Monastery of St Simon, the Agha Khan Mausoleum, the Aswan Museum, the Nubian Museum and the Aswan High Dam.

Aswan facts

Egypt's southernmost city and ancient frontier town is considered Egypt's best Nile-side winter resort.

Population: 150,000

Industries: Tourist related industries include basketry, and the making of galabiyyas and taqeyyas(traditional hats). Other industries include mining and electric power generation via the Aswan High Dam.

Hotels: Old Cataract (+2097) 316-000, Basma (+2097) 310-901, Aswan Oberoi (+2097) 314-667, Cleopatra Hotel (+2097) 314-003.

Restaurants: Oriental restaurants provide local cuisine like kebab and kofta, stuffed pigeons, and vegetables cooked with meat in clay pots. The most famous are Al-Masry, Aswan Moon Restaurant and Emy Restaurant.

Stadium:Aswan stadium, capacity 20,000, El-Sadat Street, 1km (5 min) from the town centre; 10km (20 min) from Aswan International Airport

Famous football teams: Aswan