How Did Geography Influence Ancient Civilization

This investigation attempts to correctly analyze in what way the geography of Egypt influenced the ancient Egyptian religion. This query is very relevant because, certain geographical items influenced the creation of the ancient religion that helped shape many religions that are very prevalent today such as Christianity and Judaism. The issues that will be addressed are how the great Sahara Desert surrounding the civilization, the Nile river that nourishes the whole population, and how the overall common beliefs and myths built the foundation of the ancient Egyptian religion and subsequently influenced modern day religions. This analysis will focus on the time period of 3110 BCE to 550 CE and the place being examined is the country of Egypt. This will be accomplished through the exploration of research documents and informational novels.

Ancient China is one of the oldest and longest lasting civilizations in the world. The Ancient Chinese have thrived for thousands of years because of the geography, their skills, and their talents. Throughout history, rivers such as the Yangtze and Huang He rivers made China thrive for thousands of years. While other features such as deserts and mountains like the Gobi, Himalayas, and the Taklimakan isolated the Chinese and kept other civilizations from culturally diffusing into Chinese lifestyle and culture.

Geography played a big role in determining the political units and economic institutions of Mediterranean society. The mountains interspersed throughout the Greek peninsula led to regionalism in the form of city-states. This was a departure from the centralized government of China. The fact that civilization developed along a peninsula also shaped Mediterranean culture. The ocean provided some protection from invaders and allowed for the advancement of trade.

Geography plays a big part in the history of Africa because it has made the continent the cradle of human kind wherein the discovery of human kind and the origin of many civilizations and cultures happens here.

The geography of the region shaped the lives of the people in the Ancient World by allowing permanent settlements to flourish, by allowing technology to adapt, and by isolating them from other cultures. The geography of a civilization can range from mountains, deserts, oceans, and forests. This can allow for many advancements and setbacks.

Geography affected where ancient civilizations settled in several ways. The three ways that geography affected where ancient civilizations are water sources, fertile soil, and natural barriers. If a community did not have these essential resources, they would perish. Human civilizations started because of these three key items. Fertile soil was necessary if a community did not want to starve.

There is a saying that “Geography is destiny”. For early civilizations, geography was an obstacle when it came to survival. As people settled in permanent locations, they relied on the local geographical features to sustain themselves. As people relied on geography, it helped shape the development of early civilizations, such as to provide many natural barriers, trade routes, and fertile land. China, for example, was able to develop and prosper due to its natural barriers.

It has been almost a month since I have last documented. After we left Independence Rock we were off to the South Pass. It was the harshest part of the trip so far, and we all learned how important water is and how we should not take it for granted. All the way to South Pass it was all sand and no shade. It was scorching hot and, on some days, got to or went over 100 degrees. After about a week and a half we got to South Pass, and then started our journey up the Rocky Mountains.

We all know that earth was changed through the ages. We’ve gone from nothing to dinosaurs, humans, and wars. We’ve, as a race have used and adapted to our environment to meet our needs, such as food and water. We started farming, using domestic animals, and storing the food. The lives of people of the ancient world were shaped by the geography of their region because it affects the amount of food produced, the accessibility to water, and their ease at which to find shelter.

The most important geographical feature would be the Mediterranean Sea. The people of Greece were able to develop trade using the Mediterranean Sea. They were not able to grow the staple crops, but were able to trade grapes and olive oil with others using the Mediterranean Sea. The most important geographical feature of Rome is rich farmland. Other geographic features include Tiber River, steep hills, and marshland.

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 “ 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

Geography is an important factor to consider when you look at this worlds past, present, or future. So whether it be the earths physical geographic features, the geopolitics stirring up trouble across the globe, or the economics of growing or shrinking countries; geography plays a major role. In todays society, geographic knowledge is one of the most important and valuable tools to possess. Without it, we are victims of ignorance and endanger ourselves, others, and the world. This ignorance, possessed by many, is posing a great risk of self-destruction. The author of “Why Geography Matters More Than Ever”, Harm de Blij, makes many strong points on this matter, but occasionally makes unsupported and unclear statements which tend to stray off topic.

Early civilization shared similar common features, because all of these societies were under the same pressures. Their whole purpose was survival as it is to this day. Each societies main focus was to become established, stay in one place provide food, shelter and protection for their families. Early civilizations materialize along rivers, because rivers supplied a continuous and dependable supply of water for farming and human consumption. Agriculture today has had an enormous benefit on today’s society, there are now more farmers growing organic fruits and vegetables because the realize the great health benefits organic foods have on human consumption, providing less risk of pesticides and or chemicals on their food.

Geography 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, and thus related to the amount of time spent on simply surviving. Civilizations that are able to spend less time on subsistence farming are able to redirect that energy towards the establishment of arts, culture, religion, and science. Where a

Robinson, Nick. “Ways in Which Geography Impacted Rome’s Development.” The Geography of Ancient Rome, The Seven Hills of Rome, Punic War and The Geography of Transport Systems, by Eduplace et al. seattlepi, Hearst Seattle Media, education.seattlepi.com/ways-geography-impacted-romes-development-5570.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2017.