Monkey

Waterfalls in Sri Lanka

List of waterfalls in Sri Lanka

Waterfalls greater than 10m(33ft) height

1. Bambarakanda Falls 263 m (863 ft)
2. Diyaluma Falls 220 m (722 ft)
3. Kurunduoya Falls 206 m (676 ft)
4. Handapan Ella 200 m (656 ft)
5. Lihinihela Ella 200 m (656 ft)
6. Oolu Ella 200 m (656 ft)
7. Mapanana Falls 148 m (486 ft)
8. Laxapana Falls 129 m (423 ft)
9. Mahakandura Falls 120 m (394 ft)
10. Kirindi Ella 116 m (381 ft)
11. Ramboda Falls 109 m (358 ft)
12. Galdola Falls 100 m (328 ft)
13. Garandi Ella 100 m (328 ft)
14. Nakkawita Falls 100 m (328 ft)
15. Puna Falls 100 m (328 ft)
16. Pundalu Oya Falls 100 m (328 ft)
17. Rathna Falls 101 m (331 ft)
18. Aberdeen Falls 98 m (322 ft)
19. Devon Falls 97 m (318 ft)
20. St.Clairs Falls 80 m (262 ft)
21. Sri Pada Falls 75 m (246 ft)
22. Madanagiri Falls 70 m (230 ft)
23. Dunhinda Falls 63 m (207 ft)
24. Okandagala Falls 63 m (207 ft)
25. Alakola Falls 60 m (197 ft)
26. Delta Falls 60 m (197 ft)
27. Hunnas Falls 60 m (197 ft)
28. Mannakethi Ella 60 m (197 ft)
29. Nanuoya Falls 60 m (197 ft)
30. Seetha Kotuwa Falls 60 m (197 ft)
31. Yaka Andu Ella 60 m (197 ft)
32. Doovili Ella 40 m (131 ft)
33. Bopath Ella 30 m (98 ft)
34. Handun Ella 30 m (98 ft)
35. Lovers Leap 30 m (98 ft)
36. Sampath Ella 30 m (98 ft)
37. Elgin Falls 25 m (82 ft)
38. Ravana Falls 25 m (82 ft)
39. Manawela Falls 22 m (72 ft)
40. Baker's Falls 20 m (66 ft)
41. Dessford Falls 20 m (66 ft)
42. Gartmore Falls 20 m (66 ft)
43. Ahupini Ella 10 m (33 ft)
44. Glain Falls 10 m (33 ft)
45. Kalupahana Falls 10 m (33 ft)
46. Kothmale Mahakandura Falls 10 m (33 ft)
47. Windsor Forest Falls 10 m (33 ft)

Beauty of Hirikatu Oya

Hirikatu Oya at Pambahinna, Balangoda

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

General keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+C (Copy)
• CTRL+X (Cut)
• CTRL+V (Paste)
• CTRL+Z (Undo)
• DELETE (Delete)
• SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
• CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
• CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
• CTRL+A (Select all)
• F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
• ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
• ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
• ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
• F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
• F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
• CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
• Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
• F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
• RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
• LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
• F5 key (Update the active window)
• BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• ESC (Cancel the current task)
• SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself when you move the focus to another control.

• CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
• TAB (Move forward through the options)
• SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
• ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
• ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
• SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
• Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
• F1 key (Display Help)
• F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
• BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts

• Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
• Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
• Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
• Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
• Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
• Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
• Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
• CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
• Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
• Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
• Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
• Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts

• Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
• Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
• SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
• NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
• Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

• END (Display the bottom of the active window)
• HOME (Display the top of the active window)
• NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
• NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
• LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
• RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Shortcut keys for Character Map

After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts:

• RIGHT ARROW (Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line)
• LEFT ARROW (Move to the left or to the end of the previous line)
• UP ARROW (Move up one row)
• DOWN ARROW (Move down one row)
• PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time)
• PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time)
• HOME (Move to the beginning of the line)
• END (Move to the end of the line)
• CTRL+HOME (Move to the first character)
• CTRL+END (Move to the last character)
• SPACEBAR (Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected)

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) main window keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+O (Open a saved console)
• CTRL+N (Open a new console)
• CTRL+S (Save the open console)
• CTRL+M (Add or remove a console item)
• CTRL+W (Open a new window)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the MMC window menu)
• ALT+F4 (Close the console)
• ALT+A (Display the Action menu)
• ALT+V (Display the View menu)
• ALT+F (Display the File menu)
• ALT+O (Display the Favorites menu)

MMC console window keyboard shortcuts

• CTRL+P (Print the current page or active pane)
• ALT+Minus sign (-) (Display the window menu for the active console window)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item)
• F1 key (Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item)
• F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
• CTRL+F10 (Maximize the active console window)
• CTRL+F5 (Restore the active console window)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console)

Remote desktop connection navigation

• CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
• ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
• ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
• ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
• ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
• CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
• ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
• CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
• CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation

• CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
• CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
• CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
• CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
• CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
• CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
• CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
• CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
• CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
• CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
• CTRL+W (Close the current window)

Setup Yahoo mail in Outlook Express

Setup Yahoo mail in Outlook Express

1. From the Tools menu, choose "Accounts."
2. Select the "Mail" tab.
3. Click the "Add" button.
4. From the Add menu, click "Mail."
5. In the text box labeled Display Name, type your name and click "Next."
6. In the Email Address box, type your Yahoo! Mail address (be sure to include "@yahoo.com") and click "Next."
7. Under "My incoming mail server is a…" select "POP3."
8. Type "plus.pop.mail.yahoo.com" in the Incoming Mail (POP3, IMAP, or HTTP) Server box.
9. Type "plus.smtp.mail.yahoo.com" in the Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server box.
10. Click "Next."
11. In the Account Name box, type your Yahoo! Mail ID (your email address without the "@yahoo.com").
12. In the Password box, type your Yahoo! Mail password.
13. If you want Outlook Express to remember your password, check the "Remember password" box.
14. Do not check the boxes labeled "Log on using Secure…"
15. Click "Next."
16. Click "Finish."
17. Select 'plus.pop.mail.yahoo.com' under 'Account,' and click 'Properties.'
18. Click the “Servers” tab.
19. Under “Outgoing Mail Server” check the box next to “My server requires authentication”
20. Click the 'Advanced' tab.
21. Under “Outgoing mail Server (SMTP)”, check the box next to “This server requires a secure connection (SSL). Enter port number “465” in the “Outgoing mail (SMTP)” field.
22. Under “Incoming mail (POP3)”, check the box next to “This server requires a secure connection (SSL)". The port number in the “Incoming mail (POP3)" field should automatically change from 110 to 995. If it doesn’t, make sure the port number is set to 995.

Setting up Outlook Express to work with Gmail

Configure your Gmail account on Outlook Express

To enable POP in Gmail:

1. Sign in to Gmail.
2. Click Settings at the top of any Gmail page.
3. Click Forwarding and POP tab.

From a drop down menu, you can select what you want to do with the message once it is downloaded to Outlook Express on your system. I suggest that you let it lie on your Gmail account or archive it since there is so much of space available on Gmail.

4. Click on the Save Changes button when you are done.

Configuring the Outlook Express Email client

1. Open Outlook or Outlook Express.
2. Click the Tools menu, and select Accounts...

3. Click Add, and then click Mail...

4. Enter your name in the Display name: field, and click Next.

5. Enter your full Gmail email address (username@gmail.com) in the Email address: field, and click Next. Google Apps users, enter your full address in the format 'username@your_domain.com.'

6. Enter pop.gmail.com in the Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP or HTTP) server: field. Enter smtp.gmail.com in the Outgoing mail (SMTP) server: field. Google Apps users, enter the server names provided; don't add your domain name in this step.

7. Click Next.

8. Enter your full email address (including '@gmail.com' or '@your_domain.com') in the Account name: field. Enter your email password in the Password: field, and click Next.

9. Click Finish.

10. Highlight pop.gmail.com under Account, and click Properties.

11. Click the Advanced tab.

12. Fill in the following information:

* Check the box next to This server requires a secure connection (SSL) under

Outgoing Mail (SMTP).

* Enter 465 in the Outgoing mail (SMTP): field.
* Under Outgoing Mail (SMTP), check the box next to This server requires a secure connection (SSL).
* Under Incoming mail (POP3), check the box next to This server requires a secure connection (SSL). The port will change to 995.

The order of Outgoing and Incoming mail server fields varies by version. Make sure you enter the correct information in each field.

13. Return to the Servers tab, and check the box next to My server requires authentication.

14. Click OK.

It is now time for you to test the Gmail account configured in Outlook Express. If you had selected the option of enabling POP at Gmail for only new messages, send a test message to your Gmail account from another email address.

Italian Time

Italian Time

Dancing

Connecting an Engine

Connecting an Engine to a comartment

Railway network

World's most complicated
railway network

River Nile

Nile River

The Nile is famous as the longest river in the world. The river got its name from the Greek word Neilos, which means valley. The Nile floods the lands in Egypt, leaving behind black sediment. That's why the ancient Egyptians named the river Ar, meaning black.

The Nile River is actually 6695 kilometers (4184 miles) long. With such a long length, the Nile River is speculated to be the longest river in the world. The Amazon River runs a very close second, although it has been difficult to determine which is actually longer. River Nile facts state it winds from Uganda to Ethiopia, flowing through a total of nine countries. While the Nile River is often associated with Egypt, it actually touches Ethiopia, Zaire, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan, as well as Egypt. It's only recent that the first known navigation team successfully followed the river from beginning to its end.

The Nile River has played an extremely important role in the civilization, life and history of the Egyptian nation. One of the most well known river Nile facts is the river's ability to produce extremely fertile soil, which made it easy for cities and civilizations to spring up alongside the banks of the Nile. The fertile soil is contributed by the annual spring floods, when the Nile River overflows onto the banks. Much of the Egyptian nation consists of dry desert land. Throughout most of the year, very little rain falls on Egyptian deserts. This has remained true for thousands of years. The abundant Nile River provided much needed irrigation, even in ancient times. This waterway also provided a source of drinking water, and source of irrigation for farming as well as papyrus reeds that could be used for a variety of purposes such as paper and building materials.

The Nile Crocodile has been a major component of the Egyptian culture and way of life since the first Egyptians settled along the fertile banks of the Nile. Most Nile Crocodiles are approximately 4 meters in length, although some have been reported as longer. The animals make their nests along the banks of the Nile River, where the female may lay up to 60 eggs at one time. Some three months later the babies are born and are taken to the water by their mother. They will remain with her for at least two years before reaching maturity.

Not only is the Nile River one of the main rivers of Egypt, but many would in fact; say it is the primary river of Egypt. The Nile River has certainly played a critical role in the history of this mysterious nation.

Today, exotic and sophisticated cities like Cairo grace the banks of the Nile River, as they have for thousands of years. Individuals interested in experiencing the Nile up close and personal can journey along the famous river aboard riverboat cruises that depart from numerous cities along the bank.

PIRANHA FISH

Piranha

Scientific Name : Pygocentrus nattereri

This species of Piranha can grow to be 18". Their life span is unknown to us, but they probably live for at least several years.

Piranhas have just about the same reputation as great white sharks, in that they are man eaters and the Hollywood movie scene loves to show their worst side whenver is appropriate. Their amazing apetite for meat is what originally gave them the bad repuation. There are manypiranha fish facts that you would find extremely interesting. While many humans fear these fish, there are thousands of natives that swim in the same bodies of water with these fish and go unharmed.

The piranhas or pirañas are a group of carnivorous freshwater fish living in South American rivers. They belong to five genera of the subfamily of Serrasalminae (which also includes closely related herbivorous fish including pacus and silver dollars). They are normally about 15 to 25 cm long (6 to 10 inches), although reportedly individuals have been found up to 40 cm in length. They are known for their sharp teeth (able to bite through a steel fishing hook) and an aggressive appetite for meat and flesh. They are normally only found in the Amazonian, Guianas and Paraguayan river systems. However, piranha (most likely former aquarium-dwellers) are also occasionally found in warm North American rivers and small lakes, but they typically do not survive long.[1]

Recent research on Serrasalmus aff. brandtii and Pygocentrus nattereri in Viana Lake, which is formed during the wet season when the Rio Pindare (a left bank tributary of the Rio Mearim) floods, has shown that these species eat vegetable matter at some stages in their life history. They are not strictly carnivorous fishes.

The name piranha may come from a hybrid language composed of Tupi-Guarani languages; it may be a compound word made of the components 'pirá', meaning 'fish', and 'sanha' or 'ranha', meaning 'tooth'. In Tupi, inalienably possessed nouns take the prefix 't-', 's-', or 'r-' depending on the possessor, or zero in combination; thus 'pirá'+'anha'. Alternately, it may come from Tupi 'pirá' ('fish') and 'ánha' ('cut'). It is pronounced (in IPA) /pʰiɻanʲjə/ (or /pʰɻanʲjə), /pʰiɻaʲɲə/, or /pʰiɻanʲə/).

In the Maroni River in Suriname/French Guiana a large kind, weighing up to five kilograms, can be found; it seems to be an herbivore. This species hosts colonies of worms in its stomach

Alleged danger to humans

Piranhas generally pose little threat to humans, and attacks on humans are extremely rare. Natives frequently swim in piranha infested water without attacks or scratches. It is not recommended to swim where piranha live in drought season because of increased aggressiveness caused by food scarcity. Piranha fish also have the same sensory system that enables sharks to detect blood in miniscule amounts, so it is believed that swimming with an open cut may enhance the chance of an attack.

Stories about schools of piranhas turning horses or people into skeletons within seconds are the result of numerous re-tellings and exaggerations over the years. While piranha schools can reach over a thousand in count, and bites do happen, there are no documented reports of someone being killed in a piranha attack. There are, however, documented cases of people dying from other causes and then being consumed by piranha (they just happened to be the scavenger that got there first).

Greek Aphabet

Sumo Wrestling

SUMO

Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's national sport. It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain theShinto gods. Many rituals with religious background are still followed today.

The basic rules of sumo are simple: the wrestler who first touches the ground with anything besides the soles of his feet, or who leaves the ring before his opponent, loses. Fights take place on an elevated ring, called a "dohyo", which is made of clay and covered in a layer of sand. The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds, or in rare cases, about a minute.

At the top of the sumo wrestlers' hierarchy stand the yokozuna (grand champion). At the moment, there are two yokozuna, Asashoryu and Hakuho, both from Mongolia. Once a wrestler reaches the rank of yokozuna, he cannot lose this status but he will be expected to retire when his results begin to worsen. Many former wrestlers remain active in the sumo world as members of the Japan Sumo Association.

Most elite wrestlers are highly trained athletes between 20 and 35 years old. They typically live together in residential and training complexes, called "stables", where all aspects of life, from sleeping and eating to training and free time, are strictly regimented by the coach, called the "stable master".

There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo, meaning that wrestlers can easily find themselves matched off against someone many times their size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training. The typical sumo dish, chanko nabe, is a hearty stew full of vegetables, meat and fish.

Six tournaments are held every year, each one lasting 15 days. Three of the tournaments are held inTokyo (January, May, September), and one each in Osaka (March),Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November).

Bogoda Wooden Bridge

World oldest wooden bridge

This striking wooden bridge was built in the 16th century and is said to be the oldest wooden bridge in the world. This wooden Bridge was built during the Dambadeni kingdom period.

The Bogoda wooden Bridge is an exclusive construction as it has an 8 feet tall tiled roof structure for its entire span of nearly 50 feet length with a 6 feet breadth.

The king found refuge in the rock from the marauding Dravidian invaders from South India as he did in Dambulla caves. Upon regaining his kingdom, he had the rock temple built in gratitude as he built the world renowned (A World heritage Site) Rangiri Dambulu Temple (Golden Dambulla Rock Temple). In one of famous literary works of Lanka named Sandesha Kavya (1612-1624) (Letter of Poems), travellers were encouraged to worship at this temple on their route from Badulla to Kandy. Behind the temple, down some steps is an entrance to a tunnel believed to run through the mountain to the nearby tea estate, Tudumale. It has been used by King Walagambahu during his 2 1/2 years of hiding at Bogoda. In the present era, no human has ventured through it.

Covered with a tiled roof in the Kandyan style, it is in a lovely, peaceful setting, on both sides of the shallow Gallanda Oya River, with a rock temple next to it, which dates from the 1st century BC. Bogoda was on an ancient route connecting Badulla with Kandy, and travelers stop here to worship at the temple

All this literary and archaeological facts reveals the existence of an indigenous bridge building technology in the island prior to the influence of industrialization.

It is thirteen kilometers south of Badulla, up a small road that branches off from the Hali Ela junction for 11km.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China was built mainly to protect the Chinese Empire from the Mongolians and other invaders. It was first built in the Seventh Century BC when China was still divided into many small states. The construction of the Great Wall never ceased during nearly all the Chinese fudal dynasties.

The Great Wall of China was built over 2,000 years ago, by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China during the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty (221 B.C - 206 B.C.). In Chinese the wall is called "Wan-Li Qang-Qeng" which means 10,000-Li Long Wall (10,000 Li = about 5,000 km).

After subjugating and uniting China from seven Warring States, the emperor connected and extended four old fortification walls along the north of China that originated about 700 B.C. (over 2500 years ago). Armies were stationed along the wall as a first line of defense against the invading nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes north of China (the Huns). Signal fires from the Wall provided early warning of an attack.

The Great Wall of China extends 4,000 miles (6,400 km) westward from the seaside town of Shanhaigun to Gansu Province.

The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth. It was over 5,000 km (=10,000 Li) long. Its thickness ranged from about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) and was up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers and cannons added.

The Great Wall can be seen from Earth orbit, but, contrary to legend, is not visible from the moon, according to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, and Jim Irwin.

Great Pyramid

PYRAMID

The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens. The pharaohs were buried in pyramids of many different shapes and sizes from before the beginning of the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom.There are about eighty pyramids known today from ancient Egypt. The three largest and best-preserved of these were built at Giza at the beginning of the Old Kingdom. The most well-known of these pyramids was built for the pharaoh Khufu. It is known as the 'Great Pyramid'.

Pharaoh

'Pharaoh' is the term we use today to describe the rulers of ancient Egypt.
'Pharaoh' is actually a Greek word that is based on an Egyptian word that meant 'great house'। When this word was first used, it referred to the palace and its greatness, not just to the ruler himself। However, later in Egyptian history the title 'pharaoh' meant ruler।
Old KingdomA period of ancient Egyptian history that lasted from about 2686 B।C. to 2181 B.C..
Middle Kingdom
A period of ancient Egyptian history that lasted from about 2055 B.C. to 1650 B.C..

Giza
A town located near Cairo in northern Egypt. The site of three large stone pyramids built during the fourth dynasty.

The pharaoh Khufu, like the pharaohs before him, began planning his 'house of eternity' as soon as he took the throne. A spot was chosen for building on the west bank of the Nile.Cemeteries were usually built on the west bank because the sun 'died' on the western horizon every night.

Khufu's architects were wise and experienced men. They knew the importance of building the pharaoh's final resting place so that its sides faced directly north, south, east and west.

They planned a large pyramid- the largest one ever built in ancient Egypt. The outlines of the pyramid were measured and marked in the desert sand.


Then the building began. Large blocks of stone were cut from quarries nearby. They were dragged by groups of men across the desert to the site of the pyramid and set in place. Most of the workers were farmers who worked on building the pyramid during the flood season when their fields were under water.

After the first level of blocks was in place, the workers built ramps of mudbrick, limestone chips and clay. The workers dragged the large stones up the ramps to build the next level of the pyramid.


For about 20 years, hundreds of men worked on building the pyramid. As they built each level, they also built up the ramps around the pyramid.


When the pyramid was almost finished, a special block covered in shining metal (either gold or electrum) was placed on the top of the pyramid.

Then, blocks of white limestone from quarries across the Nile were used to cover the pyramid. The blocks were trimmed to make the outside of the pyramid smooth.

Finally, the pyramid was finished.

Khufu's pyramid was only part of the complex built for him at Giza.

This complex had many different parts:

• Three pyramids for Khufu's queens.
• Several deep pits containing boats that had been buried.
• A mortuary temple where Khufu would be worshipped after he died.
• A causeway leading from the pyramid complex down to the valley temple.
• A valley temple where the pharaoh's funeral would begin.
• A small 'satellite' pyramid.
• The mastaba tombs of nobles.

• 

Outside the pyramid

The Great Pyramid was part of a complex that included a special walkway, two temples, other pyramids, boat pits and the mastabas of nobles.

Complex

1. A group of buildings that are connected in some way;

2. Complicated.

Mastaba

An Arabic word meaning 'bench' that is commonly used to describe an early ancient Egyptian tomb. Mastabas have an underground burial chamber and an above ground offering chapel.

These chapels look like the benches found outside some modern Egyptian homes, thus the word 'mastaba' is used to describe them.