The Great Pyramid: Location & Significance

Giza, Egypt: The Last Ancient Wonder Standing

The Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Khufu / Cheops) is located on the Giza Plateau, just outside Cairo, Egypt.

Key Facts

• Coordinates: 29°58′45″N 31°08′03″E.
• Built: c. 2560 BC (4th Dynasty, Old Kingdom) for Pharaoh Khufu.
• Original Height: 146.6 m (481 ft); now 138.5 m (454 ft) – lost pyramidion & casing.
• Volume: ~2.6 million m³; ~2.3 million limestone/granite blocks (avg 2.5 tons).
• Precision: Base level to 2 cm; sides aligned to cardinal points < 4' arc.
• Complex: Mortuary temple, causeway, valley temple, 3 queen's pyramids, boat pits (Khufu ship), Great Sphinx (likely Khafre).

Context: Giza Necropolis

• Khafre's Pyramid (2nd, appears taller – higher ground, retains casing).
• Menkaure's Pyramid (3rd, smaller, granite casing).
• Workers' Village (Heit el-Ghurab) – recent excavations reveal organized labor, not slaves.

Visiting

• Access: Cairo metro (Line 2 to Giza) + taxi/bus; or tour.
• Inside: Limited tickets (300/day); narrow ascending passage → Grand Gallery → King's Chamber (granite sarcophagus).
• Best Time: Oct–Apr (cool); sunrise/sunset for light.

Symbolism

Represents primordial mound (Benben) of creation; stairway to sun god Ra; pharaoh's resurrection machine. Only surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.