Pyramids of Giza

Location	Cairo, Egypt
Nearest Airport	Cairo International Airport

Out of the three pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), which was built by the pharaoh Khufu around 2560 BC, is the oldest and largest.

The Great Pyramid stands 137 meters (449 feet) high. Each side is oriented with one of the cardinal directions of the compass (north, south, east, and west). The Great Pyramid of Khufu is made up of two million blocks of stone, and is estimated to weigh 5.9 million tonnes.

The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) is situated to the southwest of the Pyramid of Khufu. Although it appears to be taller than the Great Pyramid, as it stands on higher ground, this pyramid is actually smaller than that of Khufu. This pyramid was built by Khufu's son Khafre.

The third pyramid, the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus), which stands some 67m (220ft) high, was started by Khafre's son Menkaure.

In front of the Great Pyramid stands the Sphinx, a statue of a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man. The Sphinx, which stands 20 meters (66 feet) high, and measuring about 73.5 meters long, was probably carved over 4500 years ago out of sandstone.

The sights at Giza are among the most famous in the world and continue to fascinate hordes of visitors every year.

ACOD~20121212
Last Updated On : January 04, 2013