Geography Skills
What is the term for Earth’s physical features like mountains and rivers?
Landforms
What are the two rivers of Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
Which river was central to Egyptian civilization?
Nile River
Along what river valley did this civilization grow?
Indus River
What river is often called “China’s Sorrow”?
The Huang He (Yellow River)
What do we call the lines on a map that measure distance north or south of the equator?
Lines of Latitude
What nickname is given to Mesopotamia because of its fertile soil?
The Fertile Crescent
What did Egyptians build to control the flooding of the Nile?
Irrigation systems
What were two major cities in the Indus Valley?
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
What concept did the Chinese use to justify the rule of their emperors?
The Mandate of Heaven
Which map feature explains the symbols used on a map?
Legend or Key
What was the purpose of Hammurabi’s Code?
To create a written set of laws for everyone to follow
What is a pharaoh?
A king or ruler of ancient Egypt, believed to be a god on earth
What was a major achievement of Indus Valley city planning?
Grid patterns and advanced drainage systems
What was the purpose of the Great Wall?
To protect against northern invaders
How did geography influence the locations where early people settled?
People settled near rivers for water, food, and fertile soil
What kind of writing did the Sumerians invent?
Cuneiform
What was the purpose of pyramids?
Tombs for pharaohs
What modern-day countries are part of the ancient Indus Valley region?
India and Pakistan
Which two philosophies were founded in ancient China?
Confucianism and Daoism
Explain how trade routes spread ideas and culture.
They helped people exchange goods, technology, and beliefs across regions.
What religious structure was built in Sumerian cities?
Ziggurat
What discovery helped scholars translate hieroglyphics?
The Rosetta Stone
Why do historians know less about the Indus Valley than other ancient civilizations?
Their writing has not been fully decoded.
What trade route connected China to the Mediterranean world?
The Silk Road