Approaching the population of the city of Aswan than 300,000 people makes it the largest city in the province of Aswan and also its capital . Is the southern gateway to Egypt , located exactly at the first cataract of the Nile. Rooted foot and was designated by the ancient Egyptians as " Sonu ", ie " the market." It is natural to call this name as it was a center of Aswan convoys coming to and from the heart . In the Ptolemaic era, were named "O" , and then he called the Nubians " Lipa Swan ." Aswan was also known as the " gold country " , where they serve as a great treasure , and the burial place of the kings of Nubia . After the Islamic conquest of Nubia inhabited by some Arab tribes , after the population was up to that time of the Nubians only . From the beautiful and rare things that got them in ancient times , it was the place in which he denied the theory of Eratosthenes Flatland , was first held the account for the Earth's circumference , an anchor to the " Seine " and Alexandria terminal point . What distinguishes them and Aswan with a special place in Egypt as a tourist town and archaeological deservedly , where you find them , and particularly the large numbers of foreign tourists , especially Europe and East Asia . Among the most important tourist landmarks " the Elephantine Island " , an island of Aswan interview , and mentioned in the Egyptian manuscripts as " Abu ", ie the age of the elephant , and then became the headquarters of the ivory trade . In the temple of the island today , " Khanom " , and next to him , " a measure of the Nile" and " sacred cemetery ram " and the gate of King Amenhotep II and Trinity Sataat and cursed . The dam, which was built in the time of Nasser Jamal Heb given strategic importance for the whole of Egypt , and behind the dam formed Lake Nasser , which extends from Aswan and even the Sudanese border , where stocks make up this lake water giant . And is characterized by a climate of Aswan Bhrarth , and is the largest Egyptian city dominated by hot, dry climate . In its weather is mild winter , but no rain at all. The Aswan from more cities in the world hotter and drier and located the tomb of the Aga Khan above the plateau at the west bank of the River Nile , opposite the southern section of the Botanical Garden , where built there Mohammad Shah Hussieny Aga Khan III, the cemetery luxury of limestone and marble , and was buried there in 1959 , according to recommended . This has inspired the design of the cemetery of the Fatimid Egyptian tombs . The Nubia Museum , opened in 1997 , in which more than 5,000 artifacts from the ancient monuments of Nubia . Aswan city occupied an important position in the south of Egypt since ancient times . It has played a major role in the resistance of the Hyksos , and constructed temples where many major task for the gods prevailed in earlier eras such as " Isis ." Rolled out of the Christian and Islamic religions , and so turned to the center of a large Christian form the base of the Nubia and Sudan and southern Egypt . It features prominent tourist and worth a visit : the island of plants ( tropical garden International ) , Philae , Temple of Abu Simbel, the tombs of the nobles rulers of Nubia , the first military school was established by Muhammad Ali , the Fatimid tombs and the Temple of Kom Ombo north of the city . Besides Aswan Aswan International Airport is located . The train and bus services are available. And used taxis and " Altktk " ( light vehicles Bagelin resemble Alrikashh Indian ) to navigate the city.
