Water in the Middle East TLW examine the importance of water in the Middle East and the impacts it has on the region

The Aswan Dam and the Nile River

Historical Importance of the Nile "Egypt was the gift of the Nile“ – Herodotus Ancient Egyptian Civilization- floods and calendar Population Location

Where are the majority of cities located?

White Nile and Blue Nile

What are some problems a river might cause? Why might a government want to build a dam?

Why Build the Aswan Dam? Ability to control floods Provide water for irrigation Generate hydroelectricity October, 1927

Construction of the Aswan Dam Egyptian Revolution of 1952 Construction began in 1960 and was complete in 1970

Soviet Support The USSR helped finance the construction Cold War competition between the U.S. and Soviets U.S. initially offered aid and then retracted – Over issues with Arab-Israeli relations

Positive Impacts of the Aswan Dam Drought Protection Employment Flood Protection Electricity Production Improved Irrigation

Negative Impacts of the Aswan Dam Resettlement Archeological Sites Loss of Sediment Health Environment

Use of fertilizers in Egyptian farming

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Water Scarcity

Desalination 70% of desalination plants are located in the Middle East – Mainly in Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait and Bahrain 85% of water is used for agriculture