Busting Myths: The Country with the Most Pyramids in the World is Not Egypt

The pyramids of Egypt are perhaps one of the most famous and important historical monuments in our world. Their great walls, built in a triangular shape reaching toward the sky, were home to the civilization of the pharaohs and have been a mystery that thousands of people visit every year to admire their beauty and uncover their secrets.

Everyone travels to Egypt to see the famous pyramids, but what many do not know is that on the same continent, you can find the true home of these structures and the country considered to have the most pyramids in the world. This often overshadows its northern neighbor, but it has nothing to envy.

We travel to Sudan, a country with thousands of years of history behind it and that hosts hundreds of pyramids and other architectural complexities that conceal countless secrets of ancient civilizations. Though very few know it, this African country is a true marvel that must be seen at least once in a lifetime.

Although the most famous pyramid in the world and one considered one of the seven wonders of the world is in Egypt, there is another country that has hundreds of pyramids that leave everyone who discovers them speechless. And no, we are not talking about Mexico and its imposing Great Pyramid of Cholula; we are talking about an African enclave that you must visit before it becomes famous and crowded.

Sudan is one of the 54 countries that make up the African continent, and it is here that you can find the largest concentration of pyramids in the world. With a total of 255 pyramids, it notably surpasses the 118 that Egypt has. However, it is not just the sheer number of these structures that is surprising, but also the difference in styles among them.

The pyramids of Sudan are not as imposing as the Egyptian ones, as their heights range from 6 to 30 meters and are much narrower. Nevertheless, witnessing such a large number of pyramids spread across the territory and appreciating their differences will be a unique experience for lovers of these great and historic architectural sculptures.

The more than 200 pyramids are spread throughout the country, but most of them are located in Meroe, considered the last capital of the well-known kingdom of Kush. This area was formerly Nubia, and here you will find a hundred pyramids that, despite not being in the best state of preservation, are a living testament to the ancient civilization.

The archaeological and historical site formed by Naqa, Meroe, and Musawwarat es-Sufra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 for its spectacular beauty and the large number of pyramids it hosts. As mentioned earlier, some of its structures are not well-preserved due to the passage of time, but they still maintain their essence.

But that area is not the only one to hold this honor; in the north of the country, you will find Gebel Barkal and its archaeological sites of Kurru, Nuri, Sanam, and Zuma. Its more than 60 kilometers of territory contain numerous and imposing pyramids that made it a World Heritage Site in 2003. The most famous pyramid in this enclave belonged to King Taharqa, a renowned governor of the time.

Like those in Egypt, these pyramids were built as funerary elements and tombs for the kings and pharaohs of the region. However, those in Sudan could vary in size depending on the number of years the monarch reigned, which is why their heights differ so much. If you are a history lover and interested in pyramids, you cannot miss this spectacular site where you will find the largest number of pyramids in the world.