I. Introduction (7.1) A. Egyptians settled along the Nile River, in the NE corner of Africa B. civilization lasted from around 3100 B.C. to 350 C. E. C. Kushites settled to the south of Egypt, along the southern part of the Nile River D. civilization began around 2000 B.C. and lasted until 350 C. E. E. Israelites (Jews) settled northeast of Egypt, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in about 1800 B.C.
II. Environmental Factors and Early Human Settlement (7.2) A. topography: the shape and elevation of surface features, such as mountains or deserts of a place or region B. vegetation: the plants of a place or region C. Water 1. Most important environmental factor in early human settlement was water 2. People needed fresh drinking water to live 3. Water was a source of food 4. Farmers needed water to grow their crops 5. Also used for transportation
II. Environmental Factors and Early Human Settlement (7.2) D. Topography 1. Topography refers to the shape and elevation of the land 2. Farmers preferred to settle in flat, open areas such as plains and valleys E. Vegetation 1. Plant life 2. Many aspects of physical geography affect vegetation 3. Climate with mild weather and regular rain is good for plant life 4. Plants were a source of food
III. Environmental Factors and the Early Settlement of Egypt and Kush (7.3) A. Nile River: the longest river in the world, flowing through eastern Africa to a delta in northeastern Egypt B. Egypt: a nation in northeast Africa, first settled around 3100 B.C. C. Kush: a society along the Nile River, south of Egypt, from about 2000 B.C. to 350 C. E.
III. Environmental Factors and the Early Settlement of Egypt and Kush (7.3) D. Physical Features of Egypt and Kush 1. Most important physical feature in ancient Egypt and Kush was the Nile River 2. Mediterranean Sea: a body of water north of Africa 3. Nile River valley was bordered by the Libyan Desert to the west and the Nubian Desert to the east 4. On the north, Egypt was bordered by the Mediterranean Sea 5. To the east of Egypt and Kush was a long channel of very salty water called the Red Sea?
III. Environmental Factors and the Early Settlement of Egypt and Kush (7.3) E. Environmental Factors and Human Settlement in Egypt and Kush 1. The Nile was a source of fresh water in an area that was mostly desert 2. In the Nile River valley, the river provided natural irrigation and fertilization 3. Where there was fresh water, people were more likely to find fish to catch and animals to hunt 4. Topography of the river valley also encouraged human settlement 5. Vegetation was rare in the dry deserts, but was plentiful in the Nile River valley
IV. Environmental Factors and the Early Settlement of Canaan (7.4) A. ancient Israelites settled in Canaan, a diverse land along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea B. Canaan: a land NE of Egypt, settled by the ancient Israelites, from 1800 B.C. to 70 A.D. C. Physical Features of Canaan 1. Plains and valleys, hills and mountains, deserts, and bodies of water 2. Jordan River: a river in SW Asia that flows from the Lebanon Mountains, south through the Sea of Galilee into the Dead Sea
IV. Environmental Factors and the Early Settlement of Canaan (7.4) D. Environmental Factors and Human Settlement in Canaan 1. Main source of fresh water was the Jordan River 2. Farmers found it easiest to live on the Mediterranean s coastal plains and near the Jordan River 3. In other areas, the hilly land and dry soil made growing crops difficult 4. Many people became herders rather than farmers 5. People found it hardest to settle in the mountains and deserts