Aswan derived from the ancient Egyptian word Swan, meaning "the market", is a city in southern Egypt, the capital of the Aswan region, being a bustling market and tourist center located north of the Aswan dam built on the east bank of the 1st cataract of the river Nile.
It was located on the main trade route between Egypt and the southern lands, where gold, slaves and ivory passed to Egypt.
The governors of the 6th Dynasty sent many expeditions to explore the many African countries to the south, and most of them started from Aswan!
It was also the main source of granite, sandstone and quartzite used in building various monuments all over Egypt!
In ancient times, God Khoum was the great God of the city, but in later periods Goddess Isis, goddess of magic and motherhood, became the chief patron God, with a temple being built in Philae.
The city modernized and expanded including the then separate community on the island of Elephantine.

---

Several are the sights that can be visited in the region of Aswan.
- Nubian Museum, very well organized, has Nubian treasures recovered before the flood of Nubia.
- Unfinished Obelisk, the oldest known obelisk, carved directly from the rock. If it had been completed, it would have measured about 42m and would have weighed about 1,200 tonnes.
- Fatimid Cemetery, the faded former glory of the Fatimid empire can be seen in the ruined cemetery.
- Jardins Ferial Gardens, a park that is as relaxing as it is beautiful.
- Elephantine Island with its Nubian villages of Siou and koti, the Aswan Museum, the house of Nilometers, the famous temples of Sati, Khnum and Pepinakht - Heqaib.
- The high dam of Answan an imposing infrastructure.
- Philae Temple, built to honor Isis, this was the last ancient temple built in the classic Egyptian architectural style.
- Kalabsha Temple, like Philae, this temple and its surrounding ruins were taken by UNESCO to save them from the floods of Lake Nasser. The main temple was built for fertility by the sun god Nubian Marul during the rule of Emperor Augustus.
 - Qirtasi kiosk and the incredible Temple of Beit al-Wali built by Ramses II.
- Aswan International Sculpture Park where sculptors from around the world display their pieces here each spring for the International Sculpture Symposium.

---

The regional cuisine is cuisine based on national, state or local regions, so whether in the region of Aswan or in another region you will find the same types of cuisine.
The fact that most Aswan visitors arrive on cruise ships where they can enjoy all meals can be the explanation for the lack of many dining options in the city. However, there are some restaurants that are worth a visit, being able to savor a meal while listening to traditional Nubian music, or watching a Nubian dance show.

---

Due to the location of Aswan, situated north of the Tropic of Cancer, the city has a very hot climate all year round and it is advisable to cover your head and drink water constantly.

---