Egypt is often synonymous with pyramids and it's rare that anyone thinks of these phenomenal structures in other parts of the world. While Egypt's pyramids are seemingly otherworldly and beyond human comprehension, they're not the only in existence and certainly not the only pyramids in the world. These man-made architectural wonders have been found anywhere from right next door to halfway across the world.
Each country's civilization seems to have had its own design and method when it comes to building pyramids but they're no less impressive than those from Egypt. In fact, some would argue that many are even more intricate and innovative. Just as there are many castles around the world with each representing a different purpose or culture, each pyramid has its own unique design and architectural mark, making them just as stunning and mesmerizing.
The Aztec Pyramids
Most well-known outside of Egypt is the Aztec Pyramids, which have gained a name for themselves due to their sheer size and the stories which the Maya people once associated with them. Interestingly enough, tourism seems to fluctuate due to the Mayan calendar, which is said to predict many things and among them, the end of the world. During these significant Mayan predictions, tourism goes up at the pyramids as tourists become more and more interested in the culture, history, and purpose of the grand structures.
The Pyramid of the Sun is the third-largest pyramid in the entire world and reaches a height of 233 feet. While this still dwarfs in size compared to the Pyramid of Giza, it's no less impressive due to its architectural structure. The Aztec pyramids are known for having bases that are much wider than any others in the world and are built outwards as opposed to upwards, making them massive in terms of width rather than height. Many of these pyramids follow the same design including the Pyramid of the Moon, which happens to be next to the Pyramid of the Sun, although it is smaller in size. The stairs leading to the top of these pyramids are nothing short of impressive, with many allowing visitors to (carefully) make their way to the peak of some.
The Roman Pyramids
Rome is known for many incredible archeological structures but pyramids are definitely not one of them. What's so fascinating about this is that one pyramid - the Pyramid of Cestius - can be found right in the center of the city. While many go to Rome to visit things such as the Trevi Fountain or the Coliseum, this pyramid was built in 12 BC, making it no less spectacular than any other classic Roman piece of architecture. Inside, the Roman magistrate, Cestius, for which it was named, was entombed, making it a functioning pyramid similar to those of Egypt.
It might seem unusual for this tomb to be placed in the middle of the city and so close to many other popular structures, but the placement was purely accidental. Originally, it would have found a place outside of the city limits but with the expansion of Rome becoming so rapid and inevitable, it was just an instance of Rome overtaking the space of the tomb - which was not intentionally placed in the middle of the city. However, this worked to the benefit of the tomb's preservation, as the pyramid is still one of the most well-preserved pieces of architectural history in the city. Its appearance is far similar to that of the Egyptian pyramids, with a long, narrow peak and perfect, sloping triangular sides.
The Pyramids Of China
The pyramids found in China are probably the most unusual and unique in terms of comparison to the pyramids of Egypt since the two look nothing alike. In fact, the only similarity between the two is their height, purpose, and size. These pyramids were built into mounds of earth in which Chinese emperors were buried, and they're found all over the country. While the mounds were built, they were also covered with additional earth such as grass, dirt, and trees, thus making them look more like the surrounding landscape.
By doing this, they appeared to look more like burial mounds but would have the same height and size as an actual pyramid. From afar, the pyramids would look like nothing more than hillsides that are bursting forth from the earth. Up close, it's easier to tell what they are, as they have visible paths and routes to the tops of these tombs. While their purpose was to be concealed, the structures are still impressive nonetheless for those who know what they are.