The Big Idea Activity

What is the importance of physical geography to any civilization?

A Presentation and a Class Poll

Nile River

Aerial view of Nile River


Conduct a class poll about the three civilizations discussed in this unit. Develop a question about the geography of each civilization to ask the class. Then conduct a class poll, asking the question to each class member. Present the results along with an explanation about why some students chose their answer. California Standard 6.2 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush.

Research RoadmapPrint the Research Roadmap. Use it to take notes and hand it in to your teacher when you make your presentation.

 

Topic Finder

Need help finding a topic? Explore these ideas for research...Geography.

Case Study

Here's an example of a topic you could choose for the Big Idea Activity: Why are rivers such an important geographic feature for developing a civilization? Many ancient cities depended on river water for irrigation, so that crops would not die during dry seasons. Could the Egyptian kingdoms have fed their populations without the sediments from flooding that nourished the fields of the floodplains? Another important use of rivers is transportation. Before roads are built, inland cities often relied on river transportation to be able to travel and trade with other civilizations. What does your class think is the most important reason to place a city close to a river?

Fun Facts How many of these combinations of rivers and cities do you know?

 
 

How has the geography of the place where you live affected your life? Make a timeline of your city or town and determine how geography is related to time.

Timeline of geography

Explore an Internet Timeline

 
 

Early Civilizations

Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia was a good place to grow food and start a city. How did the two rivers affect how people lived?

Sumer

Look at the map of the ancient area of Sumer. Although the city-states of Sumer fought with one another, they had few other enemies. Based on the map, why do you think there were few civilizations nearby?

United Lands

The ability to make bronze from copper and tin increased the military and economic power of a civilization. Look at the map of Mesopotamian copper and tin deposits. Why did a nation that controlled all of Mesopotamia have an advantage?

Ancient Egypt

The Nile Valley

According to this Web site: "The Nile River Valley is truly a gift to Egypt. Without its water and rich soil, the Egyptian civilization would not have emerged." Do you agree with this statement?

Egypt's Old Kingdom

The structure of society in Egypt's ancient kingdoms resembles a pyramid. How did the geography of the Nile Valley affect this structure?

Egyptian Beliefs

Beliefs about how the world works are based on the experiences of the culture. How did the geography of the Nile Valley affect the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians?

The Egyptian Empire

Technology advanced over time in Egypt. How did the design of boats change with the needs of the culture?

Early African Civilizations

Geography of Ancient Africa

Why did the ancient African civilizations south of Egypt become part of an important trade route?

Nubia

Even though they are close to each other, the ancient Nubian and Egyptian cultures developed very differently. How did climate and geography contribute to this difference?