River Awash
Description:
The Awash River flows through Ethiopia, a country in northeastern Africa with a rich culture and history. A great contribution to the study of the river was made by the Englishman Wilfred Thesiger, who organized an expedition along its banks in the 30s of the XX century.
Since ancient times, the river valley was inhabited by man. As a result of archaeological expeditions, numerous finds were made here, up to 4 million years old. During floods, the river level rises by 15-20 meters. The river has a great energy potential, as evidenced by the experience of operating a hydroelectric power plant built in 1960, 75 kilometers from the city of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. After the construction of the dam, a large reservoir was formed.
On fertile lands in the river valley, cotton and sugar cane are grown. To the banks of the river adjoins the national park of the same name, famous for its populations of gazelles and antelopes.