Were it not for the elemental forces of the Nile River, the great architecture of ancient Egypt and Ethiopia might never have been built. But in today’s water-starved world, the river could lead both countries down a destructive path. This program examines lives and livelihoods that depend on the Nile, from the humble to the hugely ambitious. In Egypt, viewers encounter a struggling Cairo fishing family, a father-and-son farming team, and the nation’s irrigation minister, who discusses diverting part of the river into a new valley. Moving to the source of the Nile, the program depicts Ethiopia’s efforts to exploit the river—a series of hydroelectric projects that have created tension with Egypt. (52 minutes)
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