Task 1: Geography and the Development/Diffusion of Human Societies Princess Dana Catacutan Part A The most significant geographic factor that contributed to the development of the Fertile Crescent or Mesopotamia were the two rivers that surrounds it. Tigris and Euphrates rivers served great source of food and used for irrigation of crops. It was an ideal place for early people to settle in Mesopotamia to utilize the life giving water of these two rivers. Also, the two rivers were used for transportation and trade. Irrigation from the two rivers made it possible for the early settlers to farm and had abundant crops for trade.
As stated in course book, inventing new products or services also creates value (Brickley, Smith, & Zimmerman, 2009, p. 248). The increase in the demand for corn farming will increase the value of the land significantly and one could reap great profit if the knowledge is there. I think my colleagues are providing great advice but there is a great deal of information and knowledge missing in order for this investment to be successful. Entering a new business and investing can be very difficult. I think this may be a great purchase to operate a corn farmland but do not think the knowledge is in place to manufacture a corn-based ethanol.
One environmental factor that contributed to the development of the United States is the large areas fertile land in a temperate climate (http://makewealthhistory.org). The United States has large amounts of fertile land which lead to a basis for an agricultural economy when it was first settled. The climate is never too hot or too cold as to limit the workable hours in the day. The climate in the fertile lands also has a longer growing season then an area that is extremely hot most of the time. So when the United States was first colonized it the growing season and fertile land made the economy flourish.
In chapter 2: The Art of Mesopotamia and Egypt were in some ways very much alike. Mesopotamia and Egypt both had a great agriculture that helped them gain a little wealth. The Nile was a big part of the agriculture between the people. The most important waterways were the Indus and the Huang He in Asia, the Danube in Europe, and the Mississippi in North America. These rivers helped farmers with transportation, which then helped their agriculture grow.
They did everything they were told because they thought that their king was almost like a “chosen one” sent down from the Gods. In the Nile River Valley with the king having all the power, it was easier to get things done, so they were able to advance in technology, science and art. Even though the Nile River Valley was so far back in time ranging from 3000-2000 B.C.E, they were very advanced for their time. Since the Nile River Valley was on higher grounds, it was able to take advantage of the river and the people could trade and sell goods which allowed their civilization to grow and advance. During the spring, there would be immense rainfall which lead to flooding, and when the water would finally recede, it left behind a layer of rich, fertile muck and it
Rivers have helped develop civilizations, empires, countries and regions. Rivers are a moving body of water that usually has its source in an area of high ground. They are many examples of rivers of rivers around the world like the Tigris and Euphrates River located in Mesopotamia but the longest river in the world is located in Egypt it is called The Nile River. Rivers are helpful in many ways. Rivers helped civilizations like the Yellow River in China and the Indus River in India because rivers helped them create irrigation systems to help water their crops.
They used the advantages of the rivers and the fertile land to shape their world through trade and agriculture. “Land between rivers” refers to the fertile valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers [1]. Because of the arid environment, these early Mesopotamians resorted to using small scale irrigation techniques for agriculture. As agriculture developed and the population increased, they devised new ways to capture their most valuable resource in more elaborate ways. They understood that in order to sustain a large population and develop an ever expanding civilization, they wold need to channel the water, from long distances, into the desert.
Whereas, Mesopotamia was known as the “land between the river” due to the fact that it was stuck right between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Both civilizations were located by riversides, which supported them with fertile land helped create the base of their success. The Egyptians were more blessed in this because they had realized there vast natural resources because of the Nile River. Unlike the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, they had the benefits of the river flooding which would flood in September and leave perfect fertilized soil for the planting season. Egypt also grew papyrus reeds, had good fishing, and hunted animals by the river banks.
The plumbing system was such a big achievement for the people of the Indus, because it was more sanitary. So because of the plumbing system, the Indus was one of the most advanced civilization in their time. Greece was also a great civilization. The Greeks created myths or traditional stories about their gods. Most, if not all, of the characters were men.
The Aswan Dam In 1960 the Aswan Dam began construction; it was an impressive display of what can be accomplished when nations work together. The Dam was a huge undertaking, costing millions of dollars, close to 16,000 million dollars (U.S.). The man behind the idea for the Dam was Gamal Abdul Nasser, leader of Egypt. He began the project because he wanted to control the flooding of the Nile River, and provide more water for irrigation. This would, in turn, provide more land for farmers and help to eradicate their poverty issues.