Throughout history a noticeable pattern has been displayed in which a civilization is impacted by the surrounding geographical features. The geography of a civilization can affect its culture, religion, politics, and even architecture. Geography can also form natural borders for protection and natural highways for travel. Natural features can greatly impact a civilization, and Ancient Egypt proves to be no exception to this trend. Located in northeast Africa, Egypt is bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert to the west. The Nubian Desert and the Red Sea make up the eastern border, and the Sudd swamplands form the southern border. Collectively these geographical features naturally provide defense for Egypt. The
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The Nile River flows north through Egypt and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile River acts as a natural highway for travel through Egypt. The Nile also floods annually which provides rich silt deposits that are perfect for farming. Therefore, life in Egypt was built upon the Nile. Egyptians would farm the rich fertile land around the Nile, therefore they would build their homes on the edge of the fertile land in order to leave more room for farming and to compensate for the annual flood waters. Because the Nile River provided life for Egyptians, the structured polytheism of this civilization was greatly impacted by the river. Many Egyptian gods were inspired by the Nile such as Hapi the Nile God. The annual flooding showed a cycle of death and rebirth which was a perfect balance. The peace of natural balance came to be known as the Law of Ma ’at. If the Law of Ma’at was kept by the Egyptians, the gods would be pleased and the Nile would continue to flood annually. Because this was a great concern to the people of Egypt, their ruler’s, or pharaoh’s, sole purpose was to ensure that the Law of Ma’at was kept. Thus the political aspect of Egypt was undoubtedly impacted by geography. Another civilization that was molded by geography is the great civilization of …show more content…
The fertile land was a result of melting snow caps from the nearby mountains which would turn up land and provide rich silt. The Himalayan Mountains also assisted in creating India’s weather patterns because the mountains form an impenetrable wall through which clouds may not pass. Therefore the cold damp air of the Himalayas is met with the warm dry air of southern India forming annual monsoons. Though these monsoons provide ample rainfall, their results can be catastrophic. From destroying crops to ruining entire cities, this yearly weather phenomena is a perfect example of how geography can affect a civilization. Historians suggest that these monsoons lead to the disappearance of the Indus Valley Civilization in 1800 BCE. Another civilization accustomed to devastating natural events is the early civilization of China. In the north, China consists of the Gobi Desert and Mongolian Plateau. The geography of Eastern China is composed of two rivers known as the Yangzi River and the Chang Jiang River. The Chiang Jiang is often considered “China’s blessing” due to the fact that it rarely floods and it provides an excellent medium of travel. However, this is not where China was initially inhabited. Instead the early inhabitants settled around the dangerous Yellow River to the North, or “China’s Sorrow.” This
The Nile River flows north through Egypt and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile River acts as a natural highway for travel through Egypt. The Nile also floods annually which provides rich silt deposits that are perfect for farming. Therefore, life in Egypt was built upon the Nile. Egyptians would farm the rich fertile land around the Nile, therefore they would build their homes on the edge of the fertile land in order to leave more room for farming and to compensate for the annual flood waters. Because the Nile River provided life for Egyptians, the structured polytheism of this civilization was greatly impacted by the river. Many Egyptian gods were inspired by the Nile such as Hapi the Nile God. The annual flooding showed a cycle of death and rebirth which was a perfect balance. The peace of natural balance came to be known as the Law of Ma ’at. If the Law of Ma’at was kept by the Egyptians, the gods would be pleased and the Nile would continue to flood annually. Because this was a great concern to the people of Egypt, their ruler’s, or pharaoh’s, sole purpose was to ensure that the Law of Ma’at was kept. Thus the political aspect of Egypt was undoubtedly impacted by geography. Another civilization that was molded by geography is the great civilization of …show more content…
The fertile land was a result of melting snow caps from the nearby mountains which would turn up land and provide rich silt. The Himalayan Mountains also assisted in creating India’s weather patterns because the mountains form an impenetrable wall through which clouds may not pass. Therefore the cold damp air of the Himalayas is met with the warm dry air of southern India forming annual monsoons. Though these monsoons provide ample rainfall, their results can be catastrophic. From destroying crops to ruining entire cities, this yearly weather phenomena is a perfect example of how geography can affect a civilization. Historians suggest that these monsoons lead to the disappearance of the Indus Valley Civilization in 1800 BCE. Another civilization accustomed to devastating natural events is the early civilization of China. In the north, China consists of the Gobi Desert and Mongolian Plateau. The geography of Eastern China is composed of two rivers known as the Yangzi River and the Chang Jiang River. The Chiang Jiang is often considered “China’s blessing” due to the fact that it rarely floods and it provides an excellent medium of travel. However, this is not where China was initially inhabited. Instead the early inhabitants settled around the dangerous Yellow River to the North, or “China’s Sorrow.” This