The third-largest city in Egypt, Giza is situated on the banks of the Nile River, south-southwest of Cairo, and within the Greater Cairo metropolitan region.
Giza is famous for the Giza Plateau, which includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and other large pyramids, temples, and monuments. Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt in the time of the pharaohs, is just south of Giza, and the pyramids of Giza overlooked the ancient Egyptian capital.
The region now known as Giza serves as the cemetery for several of the pharaohs, including Pharaoh Djet and Pharaoh Ninetjer, of the First and Second dynasties, respectively. Three of these tombs to the pharaohs, built in the form of pyramids, form the Three Pyramids of Giza.
Before the Arab conquest of the region, a Byzantine village known as Teresa was in the southern portion of what is now Giza. Giza itself, was founded by the Muslims in 642 AD, one year after they took control of Egypt.
Over the centuries, a lot of changes have occurred in Giza as it was occupied by various forces, including the British in the 1700s and early 1900s. Roads, streets, public buildings, and infrastructure improvements were constructed. Given the importance of tourism to the area, the current Egyptian government has done much to restore and maintain the ancient Egyptian monuments and structures.
Opened in 1891, the Giza Zoo was the first on the African continent. Originally a private garden project built on just over fifty acres during the early 1870s, the government took over the land as partial payment of a debt in the late 1870s, parts of the gardens were sold to home developers, but others were kept intact, becoming a part of the zoo. By the mid-1900s. the Giza Zoo was considered one of the best in the world. By 2004, however, the zoo had suffered from neglect, losing its membership in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, but it is currently working towards reinstatement in WAZA.
Giza includes several districts and neighborhoods. These include the Dokki District, the Agouza District, the Giza District, the Haram District, and the Faisal District, as well as Bulaq ad Dakrur, Imbabah, Omrania, Monib, and Kafr Tuhumus. The center of Giza is known as Giza Square.
Transportation to Giza may begin with the nearby Cairo International Airpot. Locally, Giza shares a subway system with Cairo. Known as the Metro, it connects Giza with 6th of October City, Cairo, and other cities. There is, of course, road network but traffic in Giza tends to be congested. Giza has a taxi system, and Uber has been available in Giza since 2015.
There are several hospitals and other medical facilities in Giza, as well as primary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher learning.
Recommended Resources
Ancient Egypt Research Association
Working under the auspices of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, the mission of AERA is to advance archaeological research, conservation, and training in Egypt, focusing on the ancient settlement and archaeology of the pyramids and monuments on the Giza Plateau. Its mission is stated in full, its president and board members are recognized, and its projects and publications are highlighted, with information about its field school, and a blog.
http://www.aeraweb.org/
Established in 1908, the university was previously known as the Egyptian University, then King Fuad I University, and is located in Giza, across the Nile River from Cairo. Its history and organizational structure are set forth, along with current university leaders, deans, and staff, and an overview of its academic programs, research projects, and scholarships are posted. Student life and guest services are outlined.
http://www.cu.edu.eg/
The Giza Project began at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, its goal is to digitize the archaeological data from the museum’s expedition to Giza, Egypt between 1904 and 1947, and to make this information available to anyone online. In 2011, the Project entered into a partnership with other institutions that had also excavated at Giza, to include this additional data. An overview of the project, its partner institutions, staff, and acknowledgments are documented.
http://giza.fas.harvard.edu/
Giza Contracting & Trading Company
Founded in 1990, the company has provided electrical services for more than twenty-five years, engaging in all phases of commercial, retail, industrial, and institutional electrical work, as well as fire alarm, data, telephone, and low-voltage applications. Its services described in detail, as well as its projects, which have included hotels and resorts, commercial buildings, factories, infrastructure, and residential buildings.
http://www.giza-ct.com/
Giza Spinning & Weaving Company
Established in 1979, the Giza Spinning & Weaving Company is the only private sector Egyptian integrated textile company. A profile of the company that includes photographs of its sewing factories, the number of employees employed by the company, its total turnover and export value, expert analysis, production capabilities, and sister companies, as well as its certifications and customer base.
http://www.gizaspin.com/
Centrally located in the Dokki district of Giza, Egypt, within the Greater Cairo region, the hotel is within a short driving distance from the Egyptian Museum and downtown Cairo, and within walking distance of the subway facilities. The facilities are described in detail, and shown in pictures. Other resources include room rates and special offers, guest testimonials, travel tips, and online bookings.
http://www.kinghotelcairo.com/
Surrounded by gardens, the hotel is situated near the Great Pyramids of Giza in the Greater Cairo metro region of Egypt. In operation since 1869, the hotel’s history and an overview of its guest accommodations, on-site or nearby restaurants, business center, fitness center, spa, swimming pool, and meeting and conference facilities are put forth, along with a list of amenities, hotel services, and online bookings.
http://www.menahousehotel.com/
Situated in Giza, within the Greater Cairo, Egypt metro region, the hotel offers a wide variety of rooms and suites, which are highlighted here in photographs, descriptions, and a list of amenities. Available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, and Russian, the site offers an overview of the facility’s reception and guest relations services, dining facilities, conference and meeting rooms, swimming pool, and its health club.
http://www.pharaohegypt.com/
A map and directions to the hotel in Giza, within the Greater Cairo metro region, the hotel is part of Kuwait Projects Company and a partner in Abou Al Nawas Hotels and Resorts Management Company in Tunisia. Its location and room and suite options are outlined, with representative photos and a list of features and amenities. Room prices, special offers, and an online reservation system are put forth.
http://www.safirhotelcairo.com/en/
Situated near the Giza city center, and about a half-hour walk to the Egyptian Museum and the Nile River, the hotel features eighty rooms, which are described here, and shown in photographs. Hotel services and amenities, its on-site dining and cafe facilities, location, and contacts are posted to the site, along with guest testimonials, an area guide, and an online reservation system.
http://www.tibapyramidshotel.com/
