By Eman Abdallah Kamel
Eman is a writer and engineer. She is interested in searching and writing about the Nile River Islands and many other topics.
El Nabatat (Plants) Island is one of the most important islands of the Nile River. In this article, you will learn about the location of Plant Island, its history, the most important plants on the island, and tourism.
Image source: wikimedia.org
Aswan Botanical Garden
Aswan Botanical Garden is located in the city of Aswan, in southern Egypt. It is an oval-shaped island, one of the oldest parks in the world, and a natural museum of exotic plants and trees imported from all over the world.
Nabatat Island is one of the two main islands on the Nile River near Aswan. The second island, Elephantine Island, is larger than the Island of Plants and is located between the Island of Plants and Aswan.
The island of plants is 650 meters long and 115 meters wide. It is one of Egypt’s most important research centers because it has subtropical and tropical plants, shrubs, and palm trees. Also, the island has a climate similar to private greenhouses, where rare plants are grown.
Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India; Josip Tito, the first President of Yugoslavia; and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain visited the Aswan Botanical Garden.
Aswan Botanical Garden. Image source: wikimedia.org
History
The Nubians were the first inhabitants of Plant Island. They planted it with maize, alfalfa, and wheat. It was known as the island of Natroun.
During the English occupation of Egypt, Lord Kitchener made this island the headquarters of his army during his military campaigns in Sudan. Because of the high temperature during the summer, Lord Kitchener ordered his soldiers from different countries, such as India, Central Africa, and others, during their holidays to return with different plants to grow on the island to reduce the heat of the sun. This was the reason for the variety of plants in the garden. It was called Sirdar (Commander) Island.
In 1898, after Lord Kitchener left the island, it was returned to the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation.
In 1928, the Egyptian government sent missions to different countries to bring tropical and subtropical plants for cultivation on the island. At that time, King Fuad I called the island King’s Island.
During the reign of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture called it the Island of Plants.
The first photo is of a giant-leaved fig in the Aswan Botanical Garden. The second is for Cycas revoluta – sago palm. Source of images: wikimedia.org
Description
The Aswan Botanical Island is divided into seven sectors:
- Wood Trees
- Tropical Fruit Trees
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
- Spice Plants
- Ornamental Plants
- Oily Plants
- Palm Trees
Let’s explore the plants of Aswan Botanical Island.
1. Wood Trees
The island has about 32 species of woody trees, such as Diospyros (African ebony), African mahogany, sandalwood, acacia, and Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor tree).
2. Tropical Fruit Trees
There are about 20 species, such as Casimiroa, papaya, and jackfruit.
Did You Know?
The black seeds in the center of the papaya are edible and have a peppery taste. Papaya also contains papain, an enzyme that tenderizes meat.
3. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Medicinal and aromatic plants include 16 spices like ginger, lemongrass, marjoram, hibiscus, cloves, chrysanthemum, thyme, miswak, tamarind, cardamom, and carob.
4. Spice Plants
There are some spice plants, such as chili peppers and cinnamon.
Did You Know?
The phytochemicals in chili peppers, such as vitamins, phenolics, and flavonoids, may reduce degenerative diseases. Chili peppers are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and B vitamins.
5. Ornamental Plants
Ornamental plants like Gerbera, Jasmine, and Leucadendron argenteum (silver tree).
6. Oily Plants
Oily plants include oil palms, olive trees, and coconut palms.
7. Palm Trees
Palm trees such as Hyphaene thebaica (Doum Palm), Dates, and Roystonea regia (Royal Palm).
Efforts in Aswan Botanical Garden
In the past few years, seedlings of 230 species have been produced from 330 rare species. This was the first time seedlings of these species had been produced since the garden began planting about 100 years ago.
The first photo is a view of the Nile from the Aswan Botanical Garden. The second is for the Palm Alley in the Botanical Garden. Image source: wikimedia.org
Tourism
El Nabatat Island is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Aswan. It is the best place to relax in ample shade.
The island is reached by Nile cruises, where one can see the most beautiful landscapes and picturesque islands by sailboat or motorboat.
Aswan Botanical Island has three entrances: the main entrance on the northern side of the island, the second on the south, and the third entrance in the middle.
The park has pink granite-covered walking paths that are a picture of art next to the white royal palms on either side.
The first photo is of the botanical museum on Plant Island, Aswan. Image source: wikimedia.org. The second is for the old Cataract Hotel on the Nile. Source: wikimedia.org
Also, the island has a vegetarian museum that contains a collection of rare plant seeds.
In 2011, the Aswan Governorate lit up the island of plants at night and set up a sound and light show describing the island and telling its history to visitors.
On the eastern side of the botanical garden lies the island of Elephantine, which includes the archaeological museum of Aswan, while the noble tombs lie on its western side on the west bank of the Nile.
Near the island, there are many luxury hotels, including the Old Cataract Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in the world, which represents a beautiful architectural masterpiece. And the new Cataract Hotel on the island opposite El Nabatat Island. Amon Island Hotel is located on an island close to the botanical island.
Sources
©Eman Abdallah Kamel 2023
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