Mesopotamia Geography

A. One significant physical geographic factor that contributed to the development of Mesopotamia was the location of, and access to, the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, as well as their tributaries. Located in a region known as the “Fertile Crescent”, Mesopotamia was able to utilize these rivers for transportation and irrigation of crops. As a result of flooding by the Euphrates, large silt deposits provided rich soil and promoted the cultivation of emmer, barley, beans, olives, grapes and flax. In turn, these harvested crops provided not just food for the farmers but also served as a trade medium with nomadic tribes in the area. Because of the availability of water and rich soils, the area was attractive to settlement and communities developed.
Two (2) significant environment and/or geographic factors that contributed to the expansion and/or development of the United States are the Mississippi River Valley and the prolonged drought that created what came to be known as the ‘Dust Bowl”. The value of the Mississippi River was recognized early in America’s history by both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson felt so strongly about acquiring the New Orleans port and Louisiana area that he was willing to challenge France’s Napoleon for it if necessary. It’s 2,000 miles of navigable waterway, as well as the additional 3,000 navigable miles provided by its tributaries (including the Ohio River), made it the primary means to move goods and people from the interior of the United States to a port with oceanic accessibility. Acquisition of the property adjoining the river was made through purchase, treaty, or conquest. At times, claims were laid by France, Spain, England, as well as Native American tribes. Steamboats began operation on the river in the early 1820’s and a substantial business was established carrying tourists, settlers, and goods. Early in American history, trappers and hunters shipped substantial numbers of furs and hides for further shipment to England and Europe. In later years, the cotton industry moved tons of raw cotton from Memphis and Vicksburg, as well as New Orleans. Without the
Much of the rest of the world had large scale shortages and markets were at record levels. States and private land owners advertised widely throughout the United States encouraging individuals to purchase farm land and relocate. Many people did and subsequently borrowed large sums of money to establish and enlarge existing operations. During the 1920’s, the food shortages began to abate and the market prices of wheat and oats declined. Farmers were hard pressed to meet their mortgage and equipment payments and increased their acreage in order to compensate. When the drought started in 1931, many farmers were behind on their mortgages and America was deep in the “Great Depression”. The drought continued into 1937 and large areas of five (5) states, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico, were devastated by high winds that removed the top soil and created large dust hills. Many of the farmers lost all their possessions and property to the lien holders and had to move out of their homes and off their property. These losses caused a widespread migration to what they viewed as a better place and way of life in California. It was a migration that rivaled the wholesale move to California during the gold rush of 1849. Many of the displaced farmers and their families were able to find work harvesting fruits and vegetables and establish a home for