Giza

Giza is the third-largest city in Egypt by area and sixteenth-largest city in Africa by population. It is the capital of Giza Governorate and, as of 2023, has a population of over four million people. Located on the west bank of the Nile River, it lies directly across from central Cairo and is part of the larger Greater Cairo area.

Giza is most famous for the Giza Plateau, home to some of the world’s most amazing ancient monuments. This includes the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and several other large pyramids and temples. These structures are some of the most visited historic sites in the world.

Because of its rich history and amazing landmarks, Giza draws millions of visitors each year. In 2025, it welcomed over fourteen million tourists, making it Egypt’s top destination. The city’s historic center is a World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO. Besides its ancient wonders, Giza is also an important center for business, science, and culture in Egypt and Africa. It is home to the Giza Zoo, the first zoo ever built in Africa, and the popular football club Zamalek SC.

Districts and population

The city of Giza is the capital of the Giza Governorate and is located near its northeast border. It is made up of nine districts and five new towns managed by the New Urban Communities Authority.

In 2017, the city had about 4.9 million people living in its nine districts. Some new towns, like New 6th of October and October Gardens, were not counted in this total because they were still being built or were not yet officially part of the city. There are also a few islands in the Nile, such as Qorsaya Island, Dahab Island, and Al-Warraq Island, that are part of Giza.

Geography and climate

Giza is famous for the Giza Plateau, which holds important Egyptian history sites like the pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. These pyramids were built to overlook the ancient city of Memphis, which was across the river from today’s Cairo.

Giza has a hot desert like arid climate. The weather there is similar to nearby Cairo. In winter, temperatures range from about 16 °C to 20 °C during the day and can drop below 7 °C at night. Summer is very hot, with daytime temperatures reaching around 40 °C and nighttime temperatures around 20 °C. Rain is rare, and snow almost never happens.

History

The area now known as Giza has a very long history. In ancient times, it served as a burial place for pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The most famous structures from this time are the giant pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Later, as Egypt came under the control of different groups such as the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines, Giza also changed hands. A small village named Phylake existed nearby during the Byzantine period. When Muslim forces began conquering Egypt in the year 639 AD, they eventually founded the city of Giza in 642 AD. The exact meaning of the city's name remains a mystery, with theories linking it to words meaning "edge," "side," or "fortress."

Administration

Giza is managed by a City Head and a Governor, both appointed by the Prime Minister of Egypt. The current Governor is Major General Adel El-Ghadban, who began his term in 2024.

The city's administration includes an Executive Council that carries out government policies and a Local People's Council for local oversight. Giza is divided into nine urban districts, including North Giza (Imbaba), Agouza, Dokki, and El-Warraq, where most day-to-day governance and public services take place. Several important government offices, such as the Giza Governorate Headquarters and the Foreign Ministry Legalization Office, are located in Giza to support the Greater Cairo area.

Economy

Giza has many jobs and industries. It is a big place for making movies, with famous studios like Studio Misr and El-Ahram Studio based there. Many people also visit Giza to see famous old buildings such as the Great Pyramid and the Pyramid of Djoser, which helps the city's economy.

Tourism is very important to Giza. Millions of visitors come to see the Giza Plateau, where you can find the Giza Pyramids complex and see old artifacts from ancient Egypt. The Giza Zoo is also a popular spot. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the oldest zoos in the world, with many different animals to see. The zoo also has special buildings and gardens to explore.

Infrastructure

Giza has changed a lot over thousands of years of Egyptian history. Today, it is a busy center of Egyptian culture with many buildings and places for people to use. It is famous for its ancient treasures on the Giza Plateau, which attract millions of visitors each year.

The city is a place for learning, with schools, kindergartens, and universities such as Cairo University and MSA University. Healthcare is available through many hospitals and clinics. Getting around Giza can be busy, but there are many ways to travel, including trains, the Metro, buses, taxis, and even water taxis along the Nile River.

Main article: Sphinx International Airport

Main article: Cairo Metro Line 3

Main article: Cairo Bus Rapid Transit

Culture

Main article: Cultural tourism in Egypt

Giza is a rich center for culture and history. It has many museums that show the story of ancient Egypt and its people. The Grand Egyptian Museum is being built to hold many important collections, including items from the Tutankhamun collection. When it opens, it will be the largest museum in the world for one civilization.

Other museums in Giza include the Egyptian Agricultural Museum, which shows the history of farming in Egypt. There is also the Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum, the Taha Hussein Museum, the Mohamed Nagy Museum, and the Imhotep Museum, which honors an ancient Egyptian architect.

Music is also important in Giza. The Pyramids Sound and Light Show tells the history of ancient Egypt with music and lights. Giza has hosted famous international musicians and still has many places to enjoy live music.

Giza celebrates many holidays and festivals throughout the year. These include national days, religious holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and special events like Sham El-Nessim.

The city is also known for its art. It has ancient sculptures like the Great Sphinx of Giza and modern artworks. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) shows many treasures, including Tutankhamun's treasures.

Giza is an important place for media, with many studios and newspapers based there. In 2025, it joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its work in film and the arts.

The city has successful sports clubs, such as the Zamalek Sporting Club, one of the most successful in Africa.

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Main article: Grand Egyptian Museum
Main article: Egyptian Civilization
Main article: largest museum
Main article: Agricultural Museum, Egypt
Main article: Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum
Main article: Taha Hussein Museum
Main article: Mohamed Nagy Museum
Main article: Imhotep Museum
Main article: Pyramids Sound and Light Show
Main article: Eid al-Fitr
Main article: Eid al-Adha
Main article: Sham El-Nessim
Main article: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Main article: Tutankhamun's treasures
Main article: UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Main article: Zamalek Sporting Club

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Egypt

Giza has friendly partnerships with other cities around the world. It is twinned with Istanbul in Turkey and Los Angeles in the United States. These partnerships help the cities share ideas and work together on projects.

Notable people

Giza has been home to many well-known people. Yehia Chahine was a famous actor, while Ahmed El-Ahmar and Abdel Halim Ali were notable sports players, one in handball and the other in football. Nora Armani is an actor and filmmaker of Armenian descent. Khaled El-Enany is an Egyptian egyptologist and politician who has served as the 11th Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since November 2025.