Weather of the Pharaohs

Failure of the seasonal floods would, without adequate preparation, mean hardship, famine and death for the people of the ancient land of Two Kingdoms. The hot, dry climate of Egypt was particularly favourable for the building of the magnificent structures that have made the Pharaohs famous. Today, the continuing growth of the modern city of Cairo produces air pollution which threatens the health of the urban population, but also endangers the priceless treasures of the Giza Plateau. -J.Austin