Egypt

The Great Pyramid was built around 2560 BCE, while Cleopatra lived about 2,000 years before 1969.

Howard Carter discovered the nearly intact tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

The waterway links the Mediterranean and Red Seas and spares ships the trip around Africa.

Found in 1799, it carried the same text in three scripts, and Jean-François Champollion deciphered hieroglyphs in 1822.

Most of the country is desert, so the population clusters along the river and its delta.

Beyond humans, ancient Egyptians mummified millions of animals, including cats, dogs, crocodiles, and birds. These mummies served various purposes, from beloved pets buried with owners to votive offerings for gods, highlighting their deep spiritual connection to the animal kingdom.

The Great Pyramid of Giza held the record as the tallest man-made structure in the world for an astonishing 3,800 years. Its record stood until the completion of Lincoln Cathedral in England around 1311 AD, a testament to its ancient builders' ambition and skill.

The last pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra VII, was actually of Greek Macedonian descent. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for nearly three centuries after Alexander the Great's conquest, maintaining their Greek culture.

Evidence suggests ancient Egyptians developed a form of toothpaste as early as 5000 BC. Recipes included ingredients like rock salt, mint, pepper, and dried iris flowers to clean teeth and freshen breath, showing advanced understanding of oral hygiene.

Contrary to popular belief and cinematic portrayals, archaeological evidence indicates that the Great Pyramids were constructed by skilled Egyptian workers, artisans, and farmers, who were well-fed and housed, not enslaved people.