GIZA

A middle Egyptian province (governorate).

West of Cairo, Giza (also Jiza) has an area of 32,878 square miles (85,153 sq km) and a 1986 population estimated at 3.7 million. Famous for its three large pyramids and Sphinx, Giza lagged behind other parts of Egypt in converting to Christianity and then in embracing Islam. Its capital and main city, also called Giza, had some 1.9 million inhabitants, according to the 1986 census estimate. Several of the other towns and villages of Giza province—Duqqi and Imbaba—are suburbs of Cairo, and it has grown rapidly since World War II.

See also pyramids; sphinx.

arthur goldschmidt

Giza (Al-Jizah) City in n Egypt, a suburb of Cairo. It is the site of the Great Sphinx, the pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the University of Cairo (relocated in 1924), and Egypt's film industry. It is a resort and agricultural centre. Industries: cotton textiles, footwear, cigarette-manufacturing. Pop. (1996) 2,221,868.

Giza a city south-west of Cairo in northern Egypt, on the west bank of the Nile, site of the Pyramids and the Sphinx.