Geography of Egypt

1. The Egyptians settled along the Nile River Their civilization lasted from 3100 B.C.E. to 350 B.C.E. Environmental factors affect where people settle: water, topography, and vegetation. Geography of Egypt

2. These factors were determined by each area’s physical geography. • Physical geography includes: mountains, rivers, valleys, deserts, climate, and the fertility of soil.

3. Geography around the Nile River • The Egyptians settled and lived near the Northern part of the Nile river. • The Nile river created a long fertile valley that ended in a marshy delta where the river emptied into the Mediterranean sea. • Egypt is surrounded by three deserts: the Libyan, Nubian, and Arabian Deserts.

4. Areas Around Egypt • To the east of Egypt is a long channel of water called the RedSea. • The area around the Red Sea is much like Egypt. It is surrounded by the Nubian and Arabian desert.

5. The Importance of the Nile River • Most of ancient Egypt settled near the Nile River because the Nile was a source of fresh water. • The Nile River provided natural irrigation and fertilization. • With fresh water, there was more fish to catch and animals to hunt. • The abundant wildlife in the regions included fish, ducks, geese, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and ostriches.

6. Topography of Egypt • The topography of Egypt encouraged human settlement. • There were wide, flat areas of the land around deep bends in the river. The plains were watered by the Nile’s annual flooding.

7. Vegetation in Egypt • Vegetation was rare in the deserts, but plentiful in the Nile River Valley. • Useful plants were the Papyrus, which was used to make rope and paper. • The rich farmland was used for growing crops like wheat and barley.