Aswan as the Egypt's southernmost region has long been the country's gateway to Africa and a prosperous market city on the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes. The biggest part of the province lies around the Lake, which was artificially made to improve dry climate of the region. Flooding Nubian Valley proved to be mixed blessing as it increased rainfalls in the region. Many great antiques were rescued before the valley was flooded. Abu Simbel, situated very close to the south border, is the temple that was aligned so on certain days first rays of the morning sun penetrated its sanctuary. Saving the temple from the rising waters of the Lake Nasser was the greatest of UNESCO Egyptian monument rescue efforts. The city of Aswan was a garrison town known as Sunt in ancient times, which main town and temple area were located on the Elephantine Island in the centre of Nile. The temples and ruins here are not nearly as well preserved and impressive as elsewhere in the country but there are ther reasons to visit. The Nile itself is glorious here as it makes its way down from massive High Dam and Lake Nasser and Aswan being Egypt's sunniest southern city, has a distinctively African atmosphere carried through the every night performance of Nubian dancers and musicians in the Cultural Centre.