Question of the Week #4

[Angela Cunningham]

One of the important questions introduced in "The Mystery of the Nile" was "Who owns the Nile?". Since more than 150 million people (a number that is increasing) depend on its waters, we are likely to keep asking that question for years to come.

So what do you think? Who owns the Nile? How should countries deal with waterways that cross international borders? Be sure to address the information below in your answer.

Aswan High Dam Curriculum
Death of the Nile

[nimaa]

I think the nile is owned by everyone that depends on it. There is no one person that depends on it for water and food.
[e-mail]

[Angela Cunningham]

So what does that mean for farming in countries like Ethiopia and Sudan? Should they be allowed to divert water for their crops? How will that affect the people in Egypt? Keep going.

[nimaa]

I think they should be able to divert water but it should be a monitored amount.This would affect people in egypt but they would be able to still have enough water.

[Angela Cunningham]

Who would be in charge? (By the way, you are doing a great job with this one.)

[auhig]

i dont know who owns it. it should be seperated to be owned by many countries.

[Angela Cunningham]

How do you separate a river? Each part affects the next. Add more detail.

[vialb]

All the people that live by the nile own it. Not just the people of the whole population. There should be dams through out the nile to block off other seas and oceans. So I think there are owners of the nile are the neighbors of the nile. An there should be Dams that block off the wonderful but dangerous river called the NILE...


[e-mail]

[Angela Cunningham]

The dams would prevent people on the other side from accessing the water. How would that work? Add more details.

[mebro]

I think that the nile should be owned by the country that had one of their early civilizations settle there first. I believe Egypt should own the nile. that doesnt mean they should hog all the water and be cruel to other countries. If a major decision needs to be made then I believe Egypt should be the country to do it.

[jodav]

the nile is a very important land feature in the middle east. because it is used by so many countries, i believe it shoud not be owned by one nation but rather be owned by a group of all the people who use it. almost like a treaty should be signed by all these nation so they will take part, not in just using the river, but also the care of using it.

[dekeo]

I think the government of Egypt should allow people from different countries to divert water but make sure it is only a certain amout to were it won't majorly affect Egypt.

[zacle]

i think that it is owned by all the people that use it. it is not one specific persons. it is a physical feature so it is owned by all the people and africa. they all depend on it. so not just one person should be able to take it over. cause that wouldnt be fair. so it is not owned by one specific person but all the people that use it for water and other resources.