WHAT ROLE DID GEOGRAPHY PLAY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CIVILIZATIONS?
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They didn't have a lot of snow boots, nor heavy clothes. They had to grow their own food on fertile, watered land.
Early civilizations, like Sumerian, Egyptian, and Indus, grew up along mighty rivers. These rivers provided water and good soil for crops. They also made it easier for people and their goods to move from place to place.
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Geography played a crucial role in the development of early civilizations. The natural environment, including factors such as landforms, climate, water sources, and vegetation, influenced various aspects of these civilizations. Here's how geography impacted their development:
1. Access to water: Settlements near rivers or coastlines had easy access to water, which supported agriculture, human consumption, transportation, and facilitated trade. Examples include the Nile River in Egypt, the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Mesopotamia, and the Indus River in the Indus Valley civilization.
2. Fertile land: Regions with fertile soil, suitable for agriculture, encouraged the establishment of permanent settlements. These civilizations relied on farming to sustain their populations. The availability of natural resources and agricultural surplus contributed to economic and social development.
3. Natural barriers: Physical barriers like mountains, deserts, and oceans provided protection from potential invaders, thus influencing the security and defense strategies of civilizations. For instance, the Himalayas offered a protective shield for ancient India, while the Mediterranean Sea protected ancient Greece from land-based invasions.
4. Climate and natural resources: Different climates influenced the types of crops that could be grown and the availability of natural resources. Civilizations adapted to their specific environments, leading to the development of diverse economic systems, trade networks, and cultural practices.
To explore further, you can examine historical maps, read scholarly articles and books, or study archaeological findings that shed light on how geography influenced the development of specific civilizations.