Giza Governorate

It is one of the governorates of Egypt. Its capital is the city of Giza, which was established in 20 AH (640 CE) with the Islamic conquest of Egypt. Giza Governorate is one of the three governorates of Greater Cairo, along with Cairo and Qalyubia Governorates.
It is one of the ancient cities established during the Muslim conquest of Egypt. Yaqut al-Hamawi, in his Geographical Dictionary, states that in Arabic, Giza means “valley” or “the best place in it.” The book “Al-Intisar” mentions that Giza is an Islamic city built in 21 AH. Al-Muqaddasi’s “Ahsan al-Taqasim” describes Giza as a city located behind the Nilometer (the measuring device for the Nile). The road to it from the island was via a bridge, which was later cut by the Fatimid Caliph. Giza is mentioned in many historical books, and the most important description is that of Ibn Battuta in his travels, where he extensively described its port, inhabitants, and produce.
Giza’s history dates back to ancient times, as it contains the remains of Memphis, the first capital of Egypt after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by Narmer. It was the capital of Egypt during the reign of the early pharaohs, and Khufu built his pyramid there, which became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Even after the capital moved to Thebes (Luxor), Giza remained a vital link between Upper and Lower Egypt.
During the Islamic era, Giza held significant importance due to its proximity to other Islamic capitals such as Fustat, al-Qata’i, and later Cairo.
In modern times, the first modern Egyptian university was built there when Princess Fatima Ismail donated land for its construction. The university was initially named Fuad I University and is now Cairo University, the largest university in Egypt.
Giza Governorate is strategically important as it connects Upper and Lower Egypt and serves as the only gateway to Fayoum Governorate. It also contains the desert road leading to Alexandria Governorate. Furthermore, it is a very historically significant governorate with a thriving tourism sector, boasting luxurious hotels and shops selling souvenirs to tourists of all nationalities. Tourism Industry:
The tourism industry represents 12.43% of the total tourism sector nationwide, with 598,642 tourist nights. This places it fourth among Egyptian governorates in terms of tourism services. Giza Governorate offers a variety of tourism options, ranging from archaeological and therapeutic to recreational and historical.
Archaeological Tourism: Giza Governorate is distinguished by its abundance of ancient Pharaonic monuments, making it one of the top tourist destinations. It ranks second only to Luxor in terms of Pharaonic antiquities, most notably the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Sound and Light Show, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, and the Khufu Funerary Boat.
Therapeutic Tourism: The Bahariya Oasis boasts 400 mineral, sulfur, freshwater, cold, and hot springs, making it a natural resort for therapeutic and wellness tourism.
Recreational Tourism: The Kerdasa and Harrania areas are known for their eco-friendly industries, popular with both foreign and Egyptian tourists. Other attractions include the Giza Zoo and the Pyramids Road.
Historical tourism: Museums play a major role in both foreign and domestic tourism, including the Nagi Museum, the Agricultural Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Pharaonic Village with its museums.