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 with a total population of 4,458,135 as of 2023. It is located on the west bank of the Nile opposite central Cairo, and is a part of the Greater Cairo metropolis. Giza lies less than north of Memphis, which was the capital city of the unified Egyptian state during the reign of pharaoh Narmer, roughly 3100 BC.
Giza is most famous as the location of the Giza Plateau, the site of some of the most impressive ancient monuments in the world, including a complex of ancient Egyptian royal mortuary and sacred structures, among which are the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and a number of other large pyramids and temples, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Giza has always been a focal point in Egypt's history due to its location close to Memphis, the ancient Egyptian capital of the Old Kingdom.
In 2025, Giza was visited by 14.7 million tourists, becoming the most popular tourist destination in Egypt. Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Giza also hosts the headquarters of several Egyptian multinational companies and banks. Rich in ancient Egyptian heritage, hotels, restaurants, and bazaars, Giza is considered an important economic, scientific, and tourism centre of Egypt and Africa. The Giza Zoo, the first zoo built in Africa, is located in Giza. The city also is the home of the association football club Zamalek SC.

Districts and population

The city of Giza is the capital of the Giza Governorate, and is located near the northeast border of this governorate.

2017 population and administrative divisions

Giza city is a municipal division and capital of Giza governorate with an appointed city head. It comprises nine districts and five new towns administered by the New Urban Communities Authority.
The districts/qisms fully subsume to the city head and according to the 2017 census had 4,872,448 residents:
The new towns are mostly administered by the national level New Urban Communities Authority, with some public services under the jurisdiction of Giza. They are confusingly named madina, however they are not administratively incorporated as such where many are formed of a single district or qism. Ones not in the 2017 census as they were not yet incorporated, or inhabited at that time are:
Permanently inhabited Nile islands:
The city's population was reported as 2,681,863 in the 2006 national census, while the governorate had 6,272,571 at the same census, without specifying what the city is. The former figure corresponds to the sum of nine districts/qisms.
RegionArea
km2
Region2006Area
km2
Giza, 9 kisms 2,681,86398.4
Giza, 10 kisms 2,822,271115.7
Giza, 10 kisms + Giza markaz 3,063,777187
Giza, 10 kisms + Giza, Kerdasa, Ossim markaz –338.9

Geography and climate

Giza's most famous landform and archaeological site, the Giza Plateau, holds some major monuments of Egyptian history, and is home to the Great Sphinx. Once thriving with the Nile that flowed right into the Giza Plateau, the pyramids of Giza were built overlooking the ancient Egyptian capital city of Memphis, across the river from modern day Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Giza at one time was advocated as the location for the Prime Meridian, a reference point used for determining a base longitude.

Climate

Giza experiences a hot desert like arid climate. Its climate is similar to Cairo, owing to its proximity. Windstorms can be frequent across Egypt in spring, bringing Saharan dust into the city during the months of March and April. High temperatures in winter range from, while nighttime lows drop to below. In summer, the highs are, and the lows can drop to about. Rain is infrequent in Giza; snow is extremely rare.
Up to August 2013, the highest recorded temperature was on 13 June 1965, while the lowest recorded temperature was on 8 January 1966.

History

Ancient era

The area in what is now Giza served as the necropolis of several pharaohs who ruled ancient Egypt, during the second millennium BC. Three of these tombs, in the form of giant pyramids, are what is now the famed Giza pyramid complex, featuring the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Classical to medieval era

As ancient Egypt passed under several conquests under the Persians, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines, so did the area in what is now Giza. A Byzantine village named Phylake or Terso was located south of Giza and should not be confused with it.
Egyptians called the area Tipersis. Eutychius gives a legend about the city's name and its foundation by Artaxerxes Ochus or Hūš, and Abu Salih says it was found by him at the same time as Qasr ash-Sham, but as older evidence is missing, it is perhaps most likely to have been founded during the Sasanian conquest of Egypt in the early 7th century.
As Muslims of the fledgling Islamic caliphate went on with their conquest of Egypt from the Byzantine Empire beginning in 639 AD, three years after their victory at the battle of Yarmouk in 636 AD, they conquered all of the land by the time they captured the city of Alexandria in 641 AD. A year later in 642 AD, they founded the city of Giza. The exact etymology of its name is unknown. Al-Maqrizi suggested an irregular Arameo-Arabic root meaning "edge, side" to be the source. Everett-Heath suggested "on the side of the height ". Peust also suggests a Persian etymology of the word from, which Persians could have given to the pyramids or a fortress they found in the area.

Administration

The city is managed by an appointed City Head and the Governor of Giza, who is appointed by the Prime Minister of Egypt. The current Governor of Giza is Major General Adel El-Ghadban.
The administration is divided into Executive Council, which is the appointed body that implements government policies and the Local People’s Council, which is historically an elected body meant for local oversight.
Giza City is divided into 9 urban districts, which are the primary units for day-to-day governance and public services:
  • North Giza
  • Agouza
  • Dokki
  • South Giza
  • Bulaq el-Dakrur
  • El-Omrania
  • El-Talbiya
  • El-Haram
  • El-Warraq
Many regional and national government entities have offices within Giza to serve the Greater Cairo area such as; the Giza Governorate Headquarters, Health Affairs Directorate, Giza Elementary Court, and Foreign Ministry Legalization Office.

Economy

Industries in Giza include film making, the city is considered a hub of Egyptian studios such as Studio Misr and El-Ahram Studio, and several movie production companies have their headquarters in Giza.
A main source of income in Giza is tourism as a home to many historical sites including the Great Pyramid and Pyramid of Djoser and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Chemicals is an important industry in Giza, Giza Paints & Chemical Industries was established in 1984.
Giza has many luxury apartment buildings along the Nile, making it a popular place to live.

Tourism

A vital revenue source, with millions of visitors coming to see the Giza Pyramids and ancient artifacts. Tourism revenues reached $15.3 billion nationally in 2024.

Giza Plateau

Giza Plateau has several remains from the 26th century BC such as temples and monuments to Egyptian Pharaohs including the Great Sphinx, and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The Giza Plateau also includes Saqqara, the ancient burial ground which served as the necropolis for the Ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. It features numerous pyramids, including the world's oldest standing step pyramid, as well as a number of mastabas.

Pharaonic Village

The Jacob Island was transformed into a highly accurate replica of ancient Egyptian life, in 1974. The village contains the Mummification Museum, Replica of Tutankhamun’s Tomb and Village souvenirs. Also from modern era, the village includes museums for former Presidents; Gamal Abdel Nasser Museum and Anwar Sadat.

Giza Zoo

The Giza Zoo was established on March 1, 1891, it holds the distinction of being Africa's first zoo and the world's third oldest zoological garden. Located on approximately 80 acres, the zoo was originally designed as a botanical garden and features several historical architectural elements.
Historical features
The zoo contains several notable architectural and cultural landmarks:
  • A suspension bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel, considered the world's first elevated zoo viewing platform
  • The Japanese Kiosk, constructed in 1924 during King Fuad's reign
  • Original gates from the Khedive's Palace and Haramlik Palace
  • Roads paved with black stone imported from Trieste
  • Mosaic-decorated footpaths
  • A marble island known as Tea Island
    Animal collection
The zoo houses approximately 4,000 animals representing over 175 species, including:
  • Large mammals: Lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinoceros, hippopotamuses
  • Primates: Various monkey and ape species
  • Birds: Native and exotic species including flamingos and rare birds
  • Reptiles: Including Egyptian cobras and Nile crocodiles
    Recent developments
In 2023, the Egyptian government announced plans to expand the number of animal species from 71 to 186. The renovation project includes:
  • Creation of specialized zones: Asia, Africa, America, Family Zone, Safari Trips
  • Establishment of educational centers
  • Preservation of historical landmarks
  • Improvement of animal enclosures