Geography and Early Civilizations Essay - 917 Words

Geography and Early Civilizations Geography had a tremendous impact on early civilizations, the topography of the different regions played a key role in their development and formation. This statement by Fernand Braudel â€Å" Geography is the stage in which humanity’s endless dramas are played out† (Getz et al., Exchanges, 26) is a very moving and telling description. The terrain, whether it is natural or man made is not the end all, be all. It does however affect the stage a great deal. Mountainous areas act as blockades, which keep the societies independent, plains open up the area, and rivers enable everything to move around freely. 2 In Mesopotamia, the Tigris and Euphrates River played a tremendous role in the formation of this†¦show more content†¦The Himalayan Mountains as well as the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts isolated the Chinese civilization. This seclusion slowed cultural advancements from taking place in the region. Travelers did eventually arrive in China and brought with them new technologies and goods from outside the region. 1, 3 The Nile River was the life force of ancient Egypt. People from all over the region immigrated to the area for its irrigation waters and rich silt deposits. The geography of the region played a huge role in the way the inhabitants and civilization in general was formed. The main core of Egypt covered 386, 560 square miles, of which only 11, 720 were cultivable (Tignor et al., Worlds Together, 62). The Nile differed itself specifically from the Tigris and Euphrates in that its waters did not irrigate or fertilize nearly as well but it did create green belts along the water. This created a society that flourished along the river. The Nile unlike Mesopotamia did not have a bountiful borderland but did have a desert rich in materials. The Niles predictability as the source of life and abundance shaped the character of the people and their culture. (Tignor et al., Worlds Together, 63). The Nile was peaceful and calm unlike the vicious Tigris And Euphrates Rivers. Egypt with its natu ral borders, which included the Mediterranean Sea, Deserts, and Large Waterfalls, was very isolated. This helped to achieveShow MoreRelatedThe Influence of Geography and the Environment On the Development of Early Civilization 790 Words   |  4 PagesGeography and the environment play a monumental role in the establishment and success of a nearly every civilization. For example, rivers bring water and allow for agricultural development, while mountains or deserts provide for protection and create a barrier. Many things, such as the aforementioned deserts and mountains, can offer both positive and negative influences on the society in question. The climate and amount of rainfall is directly related to the success or failure of crop growing, andRead MoreThe Roles Of The Indus River Valley And Egyptian Civilizations721 Words   |  3 PagesRivers are the key aspect of civilization. The early civilizations are usually found by rivers. The reason is these rivers give early civilizatio ns certain gifts, or the essentials for survival. The rivers give people silt. Silt is a very wet clay the makes soil fertile for farming, no matter your location. In turn, the plans grown in silt give the civilizations food and items to trade. Another, gift is fresh water. You cannot drink salt water, or water your plants with salt water or they would dieRead MoreEssay on HISTORY1490 Words   |  6 PagesShort Answer 1. Explain the role of river valleys in the development of civilizations. Name at least two river valleys as examples. (10 points) Rivier valleys first and foremost provided water, a basic necessity for humans. It also provided fertile soil for agriculture, which led to settlements and brought hunting and gathering to an end. Once animals and plants were domesticated, and basic advances occurred these civilizations made irrigation systems from the rivers. Transportation was also easierRead MoreWhat is geography? Author Alastair Bonnett attempts to answer this question in the book titled the700 Words   |  3 Pages What is geography? Author Alastair Bonnett attempts to answer this question in the book titled the same. He states that geography is a â€Å"human enterprise...[that] is an attempt to find and impose order.†1 He explores the many facets of geography that include history, political power, climate, and the humans that live throughout the world. The first two chapters explain in more detail about how geography is knowing the world through both political order and nature. The first chapter of Bonnett’sRead MoreLiterature, Law Codes, And Archaic Sumerian Religion1003 Words   |  5 PagesMesopotamia had a profound effect on the earliest civilizations known to the world. Humankind’s ability to control irrigation waters directly correlates with the rise of mass agriculture. With this mastery of their river environment, early farmers were capable of supporting large urban populations. However, in Mesopotamia the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were both a source of life as well as destruction for early societies. In many ways, the geography of ancient Mesopotamia fostered a sense of catastrophicRead MoreAncient Mesopotamia Essay1004 Words   |  5 PagesMesopotamia had a profound effect on the earliest civilizations known to the world. Humankind’s ability to control irrigation waters directly correlates with the rise of mass agriculture. With this mastery of their river environment, early farmers were capable of supporting large urb an populations. However, in Mesopotamia the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were both a source of life as well as destruction for early societies. In many ways, the geography of ancient Mesopotamia fostered a sense of catastrophicRead MoreHow Do The Neolithic And Paleolithic Revolutions Differ?1657 Words   |  7 Pagesnow specialize on other things like building tools, architecture, science, etc. This creates a tremendous impact because it allows the civilization to advance in areas other than growth. New ideas can make the society more efficient and quickly increase the carrying capacity. 3. What controversy exists over the use of the term civilization? The term civilization has acquired a controversy because of the connotations it has adapted to carry. A civilized society is one that is credited with agricultureRead MoreThe Functions of Geography Throughout the Time Periods of History1325 Words   |  6 PagesGeography is the one discipline that throughout history has served many functions. Function like where to get resources, take a trip., find new places and function its served during different eras throughout history Furthermore three of geography most important function thought out history is the purposes it served during the eras of Roman, Greek, Chinese, Islamic and early modern Europe. The important purposes of geography through these ages and the benefit geography got from European ImperialismRead MoreComparison of Civilizations in the Ancient World Essay983 Words   |  4 PagesEarly civilization consisted of core values that defined the communities that resided within it. These communities were driven by numerous fact ors in which would decide the overall outcome of the civilization. Geography, social and economic values, and they’re culture all played an important role in the makeup of these civilizations. Mesopotamia was a successful farming community early on. Utilizing the Tigris and Euphrates rivers this community was able to create a successful way of farming throughRead MoreThe Historical Development of Geography774 Words   |  3 PagesHistorical Development of Geography The study of geography is a phenomenon that has been in existence for a significant number of years and the study goes back way into history of the earth, trying to uncover the several aspects that deal with the earth and naturally found physical matter. The study of geographical features began more than four thousand years ago, with the mapping of the physical features and places being the prime focus of such early studies. This was the duration when the