Everything about Luxor totally explained
Luxor (
Arabic:
الأقصر ) is a city in Upper (southern)
Egypt and the capital of
Luxor Governorate. Its population numbers 376,022 (1999 survey), and its area is about 416 km² . As the site of the ancient Egyptian city of
Thebes, Luxor has frequently been characterised as the "world's greatest open air museum", the ruins of the temple complexes at
Karnak and
Luxor standing within the modern city. Immediately opposite, across the
Nile River, lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank
Necropolis, which include the
Valley of the Kings and
Valley of the Queens. Thousands of international tourists arrive each year to visit these monuments, and their presence represents a large part of the economic basis for the modern city. As a result, Luxor represents an excellent base for touring
Upper Egypt, and is a popular holiday destination, both in its own right and as a starting or finishing point for Nile cruises.
History
For the ancient settlement of Luxor, see
Thebes, Egypt
Economy
The economy of Luxor, like that of many other Egyptian cities, is heavily dependent upon tourism. Large numbers of people also work in agriculture, particularly
sugarcane.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Luxor is served by an international airport,
Luxor International Airport.
A bridge was recently constructed a few miles upstream of the main town of Luxor, allowing ready land access from the East Bank to the West Bank.
Traditionally, however, river crossings have been the domain of several ferry services. The so-called 'local ferry' (also known as the 'National Ferry') continues to operate from a landing opposite the Temple of Luxor. The single fare (March 2007) is 1 L.E. - one Egyptian Pound - per passenger for foreigners. This ferry is mainly used by the locals although a number of foreigners do use it. The sites on the West Bank are further than you think and you'll need transport, a taxi-driver may well approach you on the ferry, make sure you agree a price. There are also local cars that reach some of the monuments for 25 piasters. Alternatively motorboats line the East Bank of the Nile all day providing a quicker, but more expensive (5L.E.), crossing to the other side.
The city of Luxor on the East Bank has several bus routes used mainly by locals. Tourists often rely on horse carriages, called "caleches," for transport. Do not ask caleche drivers to go to the west bank as it's too far for the horses.
For domestic travel along the route of the Nile, a rail service operates several times a day. A morning train and sleeping train can be taken from the station situated around 1/4 mile from Luxor Temple. The line runs between several major destinations, including Cairo to the north and
Aswan to the south.
Sights of modern-day Luxor
West Bank
Baltimore, United States
Gallery
Image:Egypt.Luxor.Nile.01.jpg|Hot-air ballooning in Luxor
Image:Touristenbazar in Luxor (1995, 880x625).jpg|Street market in Luxor
Image:Egypt.LuxorTemple.02.jpg|Pharaonic statue in Luxor Temple
Image:Egypt.LuxorTemple.River.01.jpg|Panoramic View of Luxor
Image:Susy and Achmed.JPG|A caleche four wheel carriage
Further Information
Get more info on 'Luxor'.
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