​One of the largest pyramids, the Great Pyramid, contains 2.3 million blocks of stone. Each stone averages 2.5 tons (2.27 metric tons) in weight. Building the Great Pyramid probably required from 10,000 to 30,000 workers. They finished the job in about 20 years, and the pyramid still stands thousands of years later.

​What is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the ancient Egyptians? Most of us think of the great stone pyramids. The Egyptians built these huge monuments as tombs, or burial places, for pharaohs, or kings.

How did the Egyptians build these huge monuments? Scholars believe thousands of workers cut large blocks of stone far away and rolled them on logs to the Nile. From there, the blocks were moved onto barges. At the building site, the Egyptians finished carving the blocks. They built dirt and brick ramps alongside the pyramids. Then they hauled the blocks up the ramps.​

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​Egypt Today

​With more than 85 million people, Egypt is North Africa’s most populous country. Most of Egypt’s population lives near the Nile River. Most Egyptians are poor farmers living with political instability and limited resources.

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​In 2011 massive popular protests broke out across Egypt as part of what became known as the Arab Spring. This wave of pro-democracy uprisings shook North Africa and Southwest Asia. Poverty, unemployment, rising prices, and political corruption stirred the unrest. Egypt’s military forced President Hosni Mubarak from power, ending his 30 years of autocratic rule. An autocratic ruler has absolute power. People living under such a regime often do not have the freedom to vote or express what they really think of the government.

​Religion

​About 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslims who practice the religion of Islam. Islam plays a major role in Egyptian life. For example, Egyptian Muslims stop to pray five times a day. In addition, Fridays are special days, when Muslims meet in mosques for prayer. About 10 percent of Egyptians are Christians or practice other religions.