Egypt's Geographic Significance: A Key to Stability and Civilization Development

1. 9/29 Focus: • Geographic factors played a major role in Egypt being one of the most stable and long lasting civilization in the ancient world • Do Now • Make a list of geographic characteristics of Mesopotamia and explain how geography influenced the development of civilizations there.

2. The Ancient Egyptians Geography of Egypt

3. Review • Why would people settle in River Valleys?

4. Geographic Location • Egypt is located in North Africa • The Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River • Approx. 5,000 BCE • The majority of Egyptians lived along the Nile River

6. The Nile River • Facts about the Nile River • The longest river in the world • Flows northward • Annual flooding predictable • Silt from the annual floods provided fertile soil for farming • The most fertile soil is in the Nile Delta

9. “The Gift of the Nile” • Why? • provided water for farming and drinking • Predictable flooding kept land fertile • Led to the development of settlements • Food surpluses allowed for the development of civilization • Easy transportation united people along the river

13. The Nile as a Barrier • The Southern Nile had a series of waterfalls & rocky stretches with rapids and fast currents • Cataracts • This made it difficult for enemies to invade down the Nile

15. The Sahara Desert • Most of Egypt is desert • The desert was a natural barrier that protected and isolated Egypt • Led to the development of a unique Egyptian culture

17. Closure • What were the 2 primary natural barriers in Egypt • What was the impact of these barriers on the development of Egyptian culture