Aswan High Dam

engineering marvel · Egypt · water power

Built in the 1960s. The Aswan High Dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970 with help from the Soviet Union, making it one of the world's largest embankment dams ever built.

Controls the Nile. The dam stops the Nile River from flooding and stores water in a giant lake behind it, which farmers can use year-round to water their crops.

Makes electricity. As water flows through the dam, it spins turbines that generate hydroelectricity to power cities and factories across Egypt.

Changed Egypt forever. The dam was so important that Egypt's government saw it as key to modernizing the country and building new industries.