Preview

How Did Geography Affect River Valley Civilizations

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
856 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Did Geography Affect River Valley Civilizations
Effects of Geography on the River Valley Civilizations

The developments of early civilizations in Egypt, China, India, and Mesopotamia were greatly influenced by their geographical locations which allowed them to each adapt to their environment in many different and similar ways . These ancient river valley civilizations were all affected by surrounding rivers, landscapes, and environmental changes such as climate. Accordingly, all four regions were able to take advantage of their geographical location and to develop their own civilizations. If the geographical location wasn’t as it was, then life would have been much more different back then.
One significant geographical influence to the river valley civilizations were the rivers. Rivers
…show more content…
The different landscapes provided different benefits for each region, but could also cause disadvantages. The landscapes found in Mesopotamia were flat plains filled with rich soil and silt. Although the soil was efficient for farming, the civilizations in the open plains were left defenseless with no natural barrier protection. Egypt settlements developed along a narrow strip of land made fertile by the river. Surrounding landscapes were mostly desert areas on both sides of The Nile. This protected against invaders, but also limited contact with other people. This caused Egypt to develop in isolation and form a unique culture. The landscapes found in China were the Tien Shan mountains, the Himalayas mountain range, brutal deserts, and thick jungles. The land near the rivers were used for agricultural purposes. Although there were many difficult barriers, China still had contact with other people. This allowed for trading and the spread of ideas. The landscapes found in India include fertile fields for farming, mountains, and steep passes. The Himalayas isolated India and allowed development of a distinct culture. The steep passes through the Hindu Kush served as a gateway to migration and

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    There were a few physical geographic factors that contributed to the development of the Egyptian society and the most significant was the Nile river in Egypt. This was the most significant geographic feature because of the multiple advantages it provided that affected many aspects of Egyptian way of life.…

    • 723 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Early Civilization DBQ

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The role of the physical environment in the development of early civilization in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley led to societies flourishing, construction of complex buildings, and the development of a set of belief systems.…

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mesopotamia, China, Egypt, and India were all river valley civilizations, meaning they arose in the valleys of major rivers. Mesopotamia arose on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; china on the Yellow river; Egypt on the Nile river; and India on the Indus river. Irrigation systems were built to control water for farming. All four civilizations were governed by kings who derived their authority form the gods(either they claimed to be a god themselves or they claimed to by appointed by the gods). All were polytheistic and their gods were usually tied to nature. All had hieroglyphic writing systems. The Indus valley civilizations writing system has yet to be deciphered so researchers know little about the civilization. All were a patriarchal society were the eldest male in the extended family had the greatest authority. They all also developed metallurgical skills and made important cultural achievements. In Mesopotamia, the wheel, the sundial, number system based on 60, construction, irrigation systems, mathematics and astronomy, and a writing system; in China, paper, wheelbarrow, watermills, construction, writing system, and irrigation systems. In India, construction, writing system, and irrigation system; in Egypt, writing system, irrigation system, calendar based on 365 days, construction, and a form of papyrus.…

    • 6675 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Civilization first arose in egypt, mesopotamia, indus river basin, and china. Characteristics included cities, government, religion, writing, art, and social structure.…

    • 1522 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Indus regions were (respectively) successful regions. All share the aspects of a successful society based from nearby river systems.…

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This area would be a crossroad because most civilizations lived here and there were surpluses of resources. The result would be more cultural and trade connections and a decrease in resources.…

    • 2705 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mesopotamia and Egypt are both similar because of their civilizations being located on a river system. The Egyptians had the Nile River and its delta that led in to the Mediterranean Sea. The Sumerians had the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that led into the Persian Gulf. Both of these rivers flooded, depositing silt onto the ground that would fertilize the soil. This would allow for agriculture and for huge populations to settle and grow in these regions. The Nile River flooded annually and the Tigris and Euphrates flooded randomly which could lead to a good or bad crop season. For ancient civilizations to exist, they needed to be located along rivers because they were a source of fresh water that is necessary for life. It also gives the settlement a good form of transportation up and down the river. Also, the water is used for farm animals to drink.…

    • 672 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many different and major civilizations in the world today. The first four major civilizations all begin in river valleys. These civilizations were China on the Huang He River, Mesopotamia on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Egypt on the Nile River, and India on the Indus River. River valleys have always been a necessity to early growing civilizations. Amongst those four civilizations,…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    While geography necessitated both River-Valley and Classical civilizations to innovate technologies for water disruption and transportation, River-Valley civilizations developed religions reflecting their and unified political systems paralleling their geological unity; however, the Classical civilizations, in contrast to River-Valley civilizations, developed religions that did not parallel their geographical situation and a political system that reflected their geographical…

    • 57 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ancient People Dbq

    • 121 Words
    • 1 Page

    The lives of the peoples of the ancient world were shaped by the geography of their region. Document #6 says that the Nile was very important. The Nile would provide them with fresh water for people, livestock, and crops and a means of transportation. Document #5 says that they settled in the area with fertile soil. This area was known as the Fertile Crescent. Document #2 says that China is surrounded by mountains. Therefore, the mountains prevented invaders from taking over China. Document #4 says that Yu provided water to the Chinese people. He did this by digging channels and canals to direct the waters to the people. As you can see, geography greatly shaped the lives of the ancient…

    • 121 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Geological features can positively and negatively effect the development of a nation or a region. Ancient civilizations such as ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia drastically relied on the resources rivers provided for them. Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian both had similar and different reasons and benefits for using the rivers.…

    • 466 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    AP World History

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What truly enables civilization to develop is the need for great natural resources, what I find that both Mesopotamia and Egypt had in common was they were close to the water. This helped and benefited them in a lot of ways. A water source helped them form irrigation systems so they could grow their own food and make a profit from it. Water and the rivers were also a means of traveling. If it were not for the water source close to both civilizations they would not have been able to get around the world for trade.…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Nuclear Apocalypse that has blighted our world has caused a task force to be initiated here in the Eastern Shore. This task force composed of the couple hundred survivors left after the catastrophe have created a civilization, Chesapeake City, based on the success of Ancient River Valley civilizations. It is my honor to invite any survivors to come join our civilized society and contribute to strive towards a prosperous life after the destruction of our modern society. Together, we have taken into account all of the important aspects that go into creating a civilization as well as sustaining/maintaining it. These aspects that contributed to our civilization include: the geography, city system, government institutions and common religion, a specialized workforce, technology and resources, and finally a system to record our advancements. Our geographical location, layout of cities, structures, and common religion are adapted from the famous Indus River Valley civilization. The government and laws that keep order within are civilizations are derived from Confucian ideals from the River dynasties in China along with a blend of modern day laws. Finally, our specialization and social order is backed by, but not completely adapted from, the Egyptian empire.…

    • 1497 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Indus Valley Civilization

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Although these rivers and floodplains made farming difficult for the civilizations at times, it gave Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley fertile soil for farming.…

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Geography was, and is, a very important part of civilization. Geography is important to our civilizations today for building, location, and transportation. Back in 2500-1500 BCE, when the Indus River Valley tribe lived, they built all of their towns on the Indus River. Water was a source of life. A lake could be a place to do laundry, to take a bath, and to drink out of. It was also important because it meant that the ground around it was well watered and great for growing crops. The Indus people lived on what is called the Indian sub-continent since that stretch of land juts out from the country of India. They had natural boundaries such as mountains, rivers, and dry plains like deserts.…

    • 3031 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best Essays