How Did Geography Affect River Valley Civilizations

Effects of Geography on the River Valley Civilizations

The developments of early civilizations in Egypt, China, India, and Mesopotamia were greatly influenced by their geographical locations which allowed them to each adapt to their environment in many different and similar ways . These ancient river valley civilizations were all affected by surrounding rivers, landscapes, and environmental changes such as climate. Accordingly, all four regions were able to take advantage of their geographical location and to develop their own civilizations. If the geographical location wasn’t as it was, then life would have been much more different back then.
One significant geographical influence to the river valley civilizations were the rivers. Rivers
The different landscapes provided different benefits for each region, but could also cause disadvantages. The landscapes found in Mesopotamia were flat plains filled with rich soil and silt. Although the soil was efficient for farming, the civilizations in the open plains were left defenseless with no natural barrier protection. Egypt settlements developed along a narrow strip of land made fertile by the river. Surrounding landscapes were mostly desert areas on both sides of The Nile. This protected against invaders, but also limited contact with other people. This caused Egypt to develop in isolation and form a unique culture. The landscapes found in China were the Tien Shan mountains, the Himalayas mountain range, brutal deserts, and thick jungles. The land near the rivers were used for agricultural purposes. Although there were many difficult barriers, China still had contact with other people. This allowed for trading and the spread of ideas. The landscapes found in India include fertile fields for farming, mountains, and steep passes. The Himalayas isolated India and allowed development of a distinct culture. The steep passes through the Hindu Kush served as a gateway to migration and