EgyptEgyptEgypt officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country in North Africa that Egypt officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country in North Africa that

includes the Sinai Peninsula, a land bridge to Asia. Covering an area of includes the Sinai Peninsula, a land bridge to Asia. Covering an area of about 1,001,450 square kilometers Egypt borders Libya to the west, Sudan about 1,001,450 square kilometers Egypt borders Libya to the west, Sudan

to the south and the Gaza Strip to the south and the Gaza Strip

and Israel to the east. The northern coast borders the Mediterranean Sea; and Israel to the east. The northern coast borders the Mediterranean Sea; the eastern coast borders the Red Sea.the eastern coast borders the Red Sea.

Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa. The great majority of Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa. The great majority of its estimated 80 million people live near the banks of the Nile River, in an its estimated 80 million people live near the banks of the Nile River, in an area of about 40,000 square kilometers where the only arable agricultural area of about 40,000 square kilometers where the only arable agricultural land is found. The large areas of the Sahara Desert are sparsely inhabited. land is found. The large areas of the Sahara Desert are sparsely inhabited.

About half of Egypt's residents live in urban areas, with the majority spread About half of Egypt's residents live in urban areas, with the majority spread across the densely-populated centers of greater Cairo, Alexandria and across the densely-populated centers of greater Cairo, Alexandria and

other major cities in the Nile Delta. other major cities in the Nile Delta.

Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most famous monuments, including the Giza pyramid complex and its Great famous monuments, including the Giza pyramid complex and its Great

Sphinx. The southern city of Luxor contains numerous ancient artefacts, Sphinx. The southern city of Luxor contains numerous ancient artefacts, such as the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Egypt is widely such as the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Egypt is widely

regarded as an important political and cultural nation of the Middle East.regarded as an important political and cultural nation of the Middle East.

Giza is a town in Egypt on the west Giza is a town in Egypt on the west bank of the Nile river, some 20 km bank of the Nile river, some 20 km southwest of central Cairo and now southwest of central Cairo and now

part of the greater Cairo metropolis. It part of the greater Cairo metropolis. It is the capital of the Al Jizah is the capital of the Al Jizah

Governorate, and is located near the Governorate, and is located near the northeast border of this governorate northeast border of this governorate

in coordinates. in coordinates. Giza is most famous as the location of Giza is most famous as the location of the Giza Plateau: the site of some of the Giza Plateau: the site of some of

the most impressive ancient the most impressive ancient monuments in the world, including a monuments in the world, including a complex of ancient Egyptian royal complex of ancient Egyptian royal mortuary and sacred structures, mortuary and sacred structures,

including the Great Sphinx, the Great including the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and a number of Pyramid of Giza, and a number of other large pyramids and temples.other large pyramids and temples.

► Giza's most famous archaeological site, the Giza Plateau, holds some of Giza's most famous archaeological site, the Giza Plateau, holds some of

the most astonishing monuments in Egyptian history. Once thriving the most astonishing monuments in Egyptian history. Once thriving with the Nile that flowed right into the Giza Plateau, the Pyramids of with the Nile that flowed right into the Giza Plateau, the Pyramids of Giza were built overlooking the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, Giza were built overlooking the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, which was near modern day Cairo. which was near modern day Cairo.

► The Giza Plateau is also home to many other Ancient Egyptian The Giza Plateau is also home to many other Ancient Egyptian monuments, including the tomb of Pharaoh Djet of the First dynasty, as monuments, including the tomb of Pharaoh Djet of the First dynasty, as well as that of Pharaoh Ninetjer of the Second dynasty.well as that of Pharaoh Ninetjer of the Second dynasty.

► The Great Sphinx of Giza is a half-human, half-lion Sphinx statue in The Great Sphinx of Giza is a half-human, half-lion Sphinx statue in Egypt, on the Giza Plateau at the west bank of the Nile River, near Egypt, on the Giza Plateau at the west bank of the Nile River, near modern-day Cairo. The largest monolith statue in the world, it stands modern-day Cairo. The largest monolith statue in the world, it stands 73.5 metres long, 6m wide and 20m high. Commonly believed to have 73.5 metres long, 6m wide and 20m high. Commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians in the 3rd millennium BC, it is the been built by ancient Egyptians in the 3rd millennium BC, it is the earliest known monumental sculpture.earliest known monumental sculpture.

► The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now Cairo, Egypt in pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now Cairo, Egypt in Africa, and is the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Africa, and is the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is believed to have been built as a tomb for Fourth Ancient World. It is believed to have been built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu and constructed over a 20 year period dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. The tallest man-made structure in the concluding around 2560 BC. The tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, it is sometimes called Khufu's Pyramid or world for over 3,800 years, it is sometimes called Khufu's Pyramid or the Pyramid of Khufu. the Pyramid of Khufu.

1.1.PredynaPredynasticstic

Time Line of Time Line of Ancient EgyptAncient EgyptAbout 5500-3000

B.CClimatic change about 7,000 years ago turns most of Egypt—except for along the Nile—to desert. Farming begins and communities form along the river, with important population centers at Buto, Naqada, and Hierakonpolis. Egypt remains divided into Upper and Lower (southern and northern) Egypt.

2.Early 2.Early DynasticDynastic

(Dynasties I-III) 2950-2575 B.C

Consolidation of Upper and Lower Egypt and founding of Memphis, the first capital. Calendar and hieroglyphic writing created. Royal necropolis located at Abydos; vast cemeteries at Saqqara and other sites.

3.Old 3.Old KingdomKingdom(Dynasties IV-VIII) 2575-2150 B.C.Age of pyramids reaches zenith at Giza; cult of the sun god Re centered at Heliopolis. Cultural flowering; trade with Mediterranean region and brief occupation of Lower Nubia.

4.First 4.First Intermediate Intermediate PeriodPeriod(Dynasties IX-XI) 2125-1975 B.C.Political chaos as Egypt splits into two regions with separate dynasties.

5.Middle Kingdom5.Middle Kingdom

(Dynasties XI-XIV) 1975-1640 B.C.Reunification by Theban kings. Dynasty XII kings win control of Lower Nubia; royal burials shift north to near Memphis. Major irrigation projects. Classical literary period.

6.Second 6.Second Intermediate Intermediate PeriodPeriod(Dynasties XV-XVII) 1630-1520 B.C.Asiatic Hyksos settlers rule the north, introducing the horse and chariot; Thebans rule the south.

7.New Kingdom7.New Kingdom(Dynasties XVIII-XX) 1539-1075 B.C.Thebans expel the Hyksos and reunite Egypt. In this "age of empire," warrior kings conquer parts of Syria, Palestine, and Lower Nubia.

8.Third 8.Third Intermediate Intermediate PeriodPeriod

(Dynasties XXI-XXIV) 1075-715 B.C.Egypt is once again divided.

The high priests of Amun control Thebes; ethnic Libyans rule elsewhere.

9.Late 9.Late PeriodPeriod(Dynasties XXV-XXX) 715-332 B.C.Nubians from Kush conquer Egypt; Egypt reunited under Saite dynasty. Persia rules in fifth century B.C. Egypt independent from 404 to 343 B.C.

10.Greco-Roman Period10.Greco-Roman Period332 B.C.-A.D. 395Ptolemies rule after the death of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. Dramatic growth of population and agricultural output. Roman emperors build many temples, depicting themselves in the Egyptian style.