The Pyramids of Giza

Egypt has around 100 pyramids scattered throughout the country. The most
famous pyramids are found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, near the Nile River.
In addition to the famous Sphinx and small queen's pyramids, the Pyramids
complex in Giza consists of three main pyramids.
 The
Great Pyramid, the oldest and largest of Giza's three pyramids, is the only one of
the seven wonders of the ancient world that have not been destroyed. It had been
built as a tomb for the fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, also known as
Cheops in Greek. Egyptologists agree that the pyramid was constructed over 24
years period beginning around 2560 B.C. When completed, the Pyramid of Khufu
base was 230.3 meters (756 feet) square and stood 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall. For
over 3,800 years, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world, until a spire
was built on Lincoln Cathedral in England in 1300.

The second tallest pyramid at Giza is the Pyramid of Khafre, which contains
Pharaoh Khafre’s tomb. The pyramid of Khafre appears to be the tallest to the
naked eye, but the Pyramid of Khufu stands tallest. Only the pyramid of Khafre
retains some of the polished limestone casing in the top.

The Great Sphinx is a limestone guardian statue with the head of a man and
the body of a lion, 73.5 meters (241 feet) long and 20.22 m (66.34 feet) high. In the
18th dynasty, the Great Sphinx is the image of a local form of the god Horus. It
was built for the purpose of protecting the burial site of the kings in Giza.
 The Pyramid of Menkaure (Mykerinos in Greek) is the smallest of the three
pyramids (218 feet) and the precursor of the smaller pyramids. On the right of this
main structure are three pyramids called the Pyramids of Queens.

Nowadays, the Pyramids of Giza attract tourist attention every year.