Botanic Gardens in Aswan .. Egypt's Centre of Botanical Research

By: Ahmed Yasser

CAIRO, Jan. 16 (SEE)- One of the best reasons to visit Aswan is to see the botanic gardens. The park is also called “Kitchener” Island because in 1899, during his military campaigns in Sudan, ”Lord Kitchener” made this island the headquarters of his army. Then known as the “house of Lord”.

The island returned to the Ministry of Irrigation after “Kitchener” left the island then known as the “King’s Island”. Since 1928, Ministry of Irrigation transformed the island into trees from five continents.

With the help of the Ministry of Irrigation, Kitchener soon turned the 750-meter-long island into a paradise of many exotic trees from India. Later it was transferred to the ownership of the Egyptian government and was used as a research station called the “Plant Research Institute”.

The island includes many rare and tropical plant species such as the royal and sabal palm tree . The gardens can be reached by the flocca that reach the south eastern side of the small island.

The garden is not only a great leisure spot for families, but also serves as an important centre of botanical research in Egypt.

Aswan is located on the east bank of the Nile. The city is known for its hot desert climate that can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius during the summer.

The climate drops and becomes moderate and beautiful during spring and winter. Many tourists from Europe, USA, Canada and Asia love to visit Aswan during the winter because of its magnificent moderate climate escaping the freezing climates of their own homes.