Figure 1.--The famed cataracts of the Nile are shallow depths compared to the deeper depths through most of Egypt. They exist between Aswan and Khartoum. Here as the rains further south slacken, the surface of the water is broken by countless small boulders and stones jutting out from the river bed. Here we see th Nile cararacts at low water. Boats can be seen in the background. They are of economic and historical importance. How far south Egyptian control extended dependent of the power of the various dynasties. The more powerful the dynasty, the further south controled usually extended. Numbia was the weaker state and at times was controlled by Egypt. The cataracts enabled the weaker Nubians to dominate Egypt's trade with Africa. During one relatively short period, however, the Numbians conquered Egypt north of the cataracts (760-656 BC). Source: Keystone. Put your irsor on the image for a closer view.

The famed cataracts of the Nile are shallow depths compared to the deeper depths through most of Egypt. They exist between Aswan and Khartoum. Here as the rains further south slacken, the surface of the water is broken by countless small boulders and stones jutting out from the river bed. There are many rocky islets. The Nile south of Aswan in some places breaks into whitewater while at other points the water flow is fairly smooth even though shallow. The cataracts are not just a natural phenonenon. They are of economic and historical importance. Which is why they determined the border between Upper and Lower Egypt, meaning ancient Egypt and Nubia. It is no accident that here lies the border betwen modern Egypt and Sudan. The characteracts makk the point that the Nile which is navigable from the Mediterrabean/Delta area all the way to Aswan suddenly stops riverine commerce. This was of emense importance because boats at the time were the only easy way of moving trade good and armies aby dustance. Some of the cataracts can be navigated with careful boatmanship during the flood season, angerous, but possible. As a result ancient Egypt as we now it extended from south of the Nile Delta to the first cataract. Further upstream (meaning south), the land was controlled by Numbia (Kush). How far south Egyptian control extended dependent of the power of the various dynasties. The more powerful the dynasty, the further south controled usually extended. Numbia was the weaker state and at times was controlled by Egypt. The cataracts enabled the weaker Nubians to dominate Egypt's trade with Africa. During one relatively short period, however, the Numbians conquered Egypt north of the cataracts (760-656 BC).

Created: 7:44 PM 9/26/2017
Last updated: 7:45 PM 9/26/2017