African Vacation Guide
No river in the world better represent Africa than the Nile. It has been the source of Egypt's economy, water and society for over a millennium. Two main sources come together to make this huge river, known as the White Nile (originates in Central Africa) and the Blue Nile (originates in Ethiopia).
For an approximate distance of 6650 kilometers this gigantic water source makes its way through the mountains, valleys, sunburned deserts and open savannas of Africa, crossing 10 countries and disregarding international borders in its endless quest for the sea
The Nile River's Delta covers approximately 240 kilometers and consists the country's economical heart. With a population of over 4 million people Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and the most popular tourist destination located in the Nile's Delta.
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This port city is where most of Egypt international trade takes place and it offers visitors intriguing insights of its prosperous cultural past. Take your time and visit the ancient monuments, museums and religious places that fill the city, but don't forget Alexandria has a giddier, modern side.
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This ever changing city is not only a memoir to what once was – it is young and changing, offering modern tourists luxurious vacation resorts and pleasurable nightlife.
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Obviously, there is no real way in which the Nile River that crosses Africa can be covered in a single page, or even a single website.
We have chosen to concentrate on the Egyptian part of the Nile, and even in so we left much unsaid. Do some online research on this powerful river and learn more about what it has to offer and about the tourist activities that relate to it.
Sites like mbarron.net will assist you with further information, but there are of course many others available on the web. For pre arranged tours see this resource.
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In a visit to Luxor you can see the amazing West Bank Necropolis, with its temples, shrines and tomb-packed Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. On crowded Aswan on the other hand you can rediscover the art of trading in the hectic market where time seems to have stood still for centuries.
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Even for travelers who feel they've had their share of ancient sanctuaries and holy places, the enormous rock temples of Abu Simbel offer an experience of a different magnitude.
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The two main temples are called the Great Temple of Ramesses the Second and Hathor and they have incredible richness of stone carvings and features of ancient Egyptian architecture.
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The skilful Egyptian architects of old times has planned the Great Temple so that twice a year on October and February 20, the sunrays shed light on the internal walls, shining on all the sculptures but the one of Ptah, the Underworld God.
It pays no attention to human disputes, political changes or curious tourists who travel to see it from all over the world. Its ancient and it knows that eventually all things are temporary, but nature prevails.
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The Nile is Africa. It has shaped the lives of people living at its shores, fed them and at times claimed their lives. The numerous monuments, temples and archeological structures that can be found near it earned it the reputation of being the world's largest open air museum, and the river lives up to it.
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Tourists who wish to explore the Nile have many options on their hands. Luxor and Aswan bridges are not only impressive in their magnitude, but will lead you to cities full of historical assets and ancient masterpieces.