While driving to Memphis

This picture was taken during my journey to Memphis.

Saqqara

Situated on a rocky plateau on the west bank of the Nile, about ten kilometers south of Giza, Saqqara was the most important necropolis of the Memphis, the capital of the ancient Egypt.It was here that the first pyramid in Egypt history was built.

The Pyramid of Menkaure

The Pyramid of Menkaure and the three Queen's Pyramids.

The third Pyramid at Giza, built by the Pharaoh Menkaure, is 65 meters high and is therefore much smaller than the other two. Pharaoh is the the title of the ancient Egyptian Kings.

On the southern side of the Pyramid there are three Queen's Pyramids for the Royal Wives.

Optical IlusionThe Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Khafre

The Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Khafre

Because of an optical illusion created by the different inclination of the faces of the two pyramids and by the different ground level, one gets the impression that the Pyramid of Khafre (built on a slightly elevated position) is the largest.

However the Pyramid of Khufu is actually larger than any other.

The Great Sphinx and the Pyramid of Khufu.

The most famous and popular Memphite necropolis: the mysterious Sphinx.

Behind the Sphinx is possible to see the Pyramid of Khufu.

It is the largest pyramid in the world and could contain St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Napoleon, who was a mathematics enthusiast, calculated that the blocks of stone used to build this colossal monument would have been enough to erect a wall two meters high and 30 centimeters thick all around France.

Khufu, whom the ancient Greeks called Cheops, was the pharaoh who succeeded Snofru, the founder of the 4th Dynasty who built two large pyramids in the Dahshur.

The Great Sphinx and the Pyramid of Khafre.

The Great Sphinx at Giza is probably the most famous monument of ancient Egypt and has become its symbol. The Sphinx was the symbolic image of the pharaoh and at the same time the royal necropolis of Giza.

In fact, the Sphinx was covered by sand several times up to the 19th century, and often only its head was visible.

Behind the Sphinx is possible to see the Pyramid of Khafre. It is the second Pyramid at Giza, built by Khafre, one of the Khufu's sons. It is the only one on which the original tura limestone casing is intact, although only on the top.

David Roberts traveled in Egypt in the early 1800's. He produced six volumes of prints from Egypt. His paintings show Egypt as it was before. As you can see today's Egypt didn't change too much.



Behind the Sphinx:
on the left side is the Pyramid of Khafre
on the right side is the Pyramid of Khufu (the largest monument) and the little one is one of the Queen's pyramids.

Welcome to Cairo, Egypt!

Giza

At Giza, Khufu built the largest pyramid in the world. His example was followed by two of his successors, Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), thus increasing the fame of Giza, the Pyramids which were considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Egypt Fast Facts
Population: 78,8 million people(July 2006 est.)
Main Exports: Petroleum, Petroleum Products and cotton
Currency: Egyptian Pound
Land: Egypt is about 94% desert.
Conventional Long Form for Country Name: Arab Republic of Egypt

Cairo Fast Facts
Population: 16.1 million people