Ancient Egypt had a unique set of geographic conditions for building pyramids. The country was a long, narrow, fertile strip of land in northeastern Africa.
The mighty Nile River provided abundant water, and natural barriers offered protection from invaders. There were deserts to the east and west. There were dangerous rapids on the Nile to the south, and delta marshes lay to the north. This circle of isolation allowed the Egyptians to work in peace and security.
Literally tons and tons of raw materials were needed to build the pyramids. Ancient Egypt had lots of limestone, sandstone, and granite. But these huge, heavy rocks had to be moved from quarries to the building sites. Egypt’s most precious resource—the great Nile River—provided the means for transportation.
