Aswan, Ancient trading city in southern Egypt.
Aswan is a city on the eastern bank of the Nile in southern Egypt, spreading across sandy hills and waterfront strips. Granite rocks rise from the water forming small islands, while palm trees line the promenade and boats rest at anchor.
The city was a border post between Egypt and Nubia thousands of years ago and remained an important place for trade in gold, ivory, and spices for centuries. Later, it served as a military base for different empires that controlled traffic along the river.
The name comes from ancient Egypt and means "market" or "trade," recalling the city's role as a meeting point for caravans. Today, the streets show Nubian houses painted in bright colors with flat roofs, while sailboats drift slowly along the river and fishermen cast their nets.
An airport connects the city with Cairo and other major cities, while ferries and small boats run regularly between the banks and islands. The best time to visit is from October to April, when the heat is manageable and walking along the waterfront is comfortable.
In ancient times, people believed the sun stood directly overhead during the summer solstice, casting no shadow over a deep well here. This observation helped a Greek scholar measure the circumference of the Earth by comparing the angle of sunlight with another city.
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