Even the flourishing of civilisation during the time of the Pharaohs was only made possible by the waters of the Nile, and to this day, this same source forms the livelihood of the Egyptians. The origin of the Nile lies half a continent away in the rain-rich mountains of Central Africa, and the last thousand kilometres the brown waters flow past temples and pyramids. Along with the fertile farmland it has created on both sides, it cuts through the desert; the green of the plants is a soothing and calming sight amidst the hot, dusty land. Until the construction of the Aswan Dam, the soils were replenished with new nutrients by the annual flooding. Even the calendar was aligned with the flood. Today, the fellahin have to use artificial fertilisers and also contend with soil salinisation. As only a few bridges span the river, ferries and feluccas, small sailing boats, are still a traditionally common means of transport up and down the country in Egypt.

All pictures from the ‘World Pictures’ edition