Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

The Great Sphinx of Giza, is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature, with the head of a human, and the body of a lion. Facing directly from west to east, it stands on the Giza Plateau, on the west bank of the Nile, in Giza, Egypt. The face of the Sphinx, appears to represent the pharaoh, Khafre.

The original shape of the Sphinx, was cut from the bedrock, and has since been restored, with layers of limestone blocks. It measures 73 m (240 ft) long, from paw to tail, 20 m (66 ft) high, from the base to the top of the head, and 19 m (62 ft) wide at its rear haunches. It's nose was broken off for unknown reasons, between the 3rd and 10th centuries AD.

The Sphinx, is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt, and one of the most recognizable statues, in the world. The archaeological evidence suggests, that it was created by ancient Egyptians, of the Old Kingdom, during the reign of Khafre ( 2558–2532 BC).

The Great Sphinx of Giza, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in Egypt. The Grand Pyramids of Giza, along with the Sphinx of Giza, receive 14.7 million visitors every year.