Cultural and Heritage Tourism

 When we speak of Pyramids, Egypt comes to mind however did you know that there are two countries that have Pyramid locations. Lets talk about these two countries!

The Egyptian pyramids are ancient pyramid-shaped masonry structures located in Giza,Egypt on the outskirts of Cairo. Several of the Giza pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built. The Pyramid of Khufu is the largest Egyptian pyramid. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.

Pyramids and Tourism
The Pyramids of Giza are wonderful for sightseeing and for tours. Visitors would visit the location just to gain knowledge of such world wonder and to have pictures taken for memories. No trip to Egypt is complete without time spent here at one of the world's most recognizable tourist attractions. Towering incongruously over the edge of Cairo's suburban sprawl, these mighty monuments are a tribute to the power and ambition of Egypt's Pharaonic rulers.

Despite the towering reputation of Egypt’s Great Pyramids at Giza, the Americas actually contain more pyramid structures than the rest of the planet combined. Civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca all built pyramids to house their deities, as well as to bury their kings. In many of their great city-states, temple-pyramids formed the center of public life and were the site of holy rituals, including human sacrifice. The best known Latin American pyramids include the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacán in central Mexico, the Castillo at Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan, the Great Pyramid in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, the Pyramid at Cholula and the Inca’s great temple at Cuzco in Peru.

Mesoamerican peoples built pyramids from around 1000 B.C. up until the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. (Egyptian pyramids are much older than American ones; the earliest Egyptian pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser, was built in the 27 century BC). The earliest known pyramid in the Americas stands at La Venta in Tabasco, Mexico. Built by the Olmecs, the first major Mesoamerican civilization (a group famous for other firsts, like chocolate and the use of for sports), the pyramid dates to between 1000 B.C. and 400 B.C. American pyramids were generally built of earth and then faced with stone, typically in a stepped, or layered, shape topped by a platform or temple structure. They are often referred to as “stepped pyramids.”

When were they built?
Scattered throughout Mexico, you'll find the ruins of several ancient civilizations, including those of the Aztec, Maya and Toltec people. Many of these sites feature impressive pyramids standing hundreds of feet tall that have been around for thousands of years. Each offers visitors a unique glimpse into the lives of its former inhabitants. Take a break from the beach to explore amazing archaeological sites and learn about the cultures that built them.