Lake Nasser

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Lake Nasser is a vast reservoir in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The lake is some 479 km long and 16 km across at its widest point, which is near the Tropic of Cancer. It covers a total surface area of 5,250 km2 and has a storage capacity of some 132 km3 of water.The lake was created as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam across the waters of the Nile between 1958 and 1970. Fishing among tourists, especially for Nile perch, has become increasingly popular, both on the shore and from boats. Although the Abu Simbel and other temples were physically moved to a higher ground and to different sites to spare their destruction by the new lake, other ancient Egyptian sites like the massive fortress of Buhen were flooded and are now at the bottom of the lake. The statue of Ramses II and others, at Abu Simbel Temple, look out over Lake Nasser and tourists can enjoy the view from their cruise ship.