Topography
Name the two largest seas in the region.
Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea
In what direction does the Nile River flow?
North. One can tell that it flows north because the Nile delta is formed when the Nile empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
Why was the Nile River valley a good place to settle? Name one to three reasons.
1) source of fresh water (crops, fishing, drinking, bathing) 2) flooded each year enriching the surrounding soil with silt, 3) a transportation "highway" for trade
What is the name of the sea that is to the north of Egypt and to the west of Canaan.
Mediterranean Sea
The plants of a place or region.
Vegetation
Name one of the two inland bodies of water in the region that are called "seas" but are much smaller than the typical sea.
Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea
In what direction does the Jordan River flow
It flows south.
What was one of the three most popular places for settlements in Canaan?
1) the coastal plains along the Mediterranean coast, 2) along the Jordan River, 3) around the Sea of Galilee.
What were 2 uses for papyrus?
It was used to make paper, rope, woven mats and baskets, and could even be used to make the walls of huts or the hulls of small boats.
A liquid substance that every living thing needs in order to survive that greatly affected where people settled.
Water
In what way did the surrounding deserts protect the early settlements of Egypt and Kush?
They were natural barriers that prevented invaders from attacking from those directions.
Name one of the ways in which the Nile and Jordan Rivers are different.
The Nile River flowed through Egypt and Kush (Africa) while the Jordan River flowed through Canaan (SW Asia). The Nile River floods slowly on a predictable annual schedule while the Jordan River doesn't flood (its banks are too steep). The Nile River deposits silt along its banks to enrich the surrounding fields; the Jordan River does not. They flow in different directions.
Why were herders in the region of Canaan often nomads rather than settlers?
Herd animals such as sheep and goats require lots of grazing land. Once the land has been "eaten down" the herd needs to move to new grazing areas and water sources. This lifestyle was common in areas where there was not soil that was fertile enough for crop agriculture.
What is the process of adding nutrients and food to the soil called?
fertilization
A tough water plant used to make rope and paper.
Papyrus
What sort of topography was good for herding animals such as sheep and goats?
Hilly, rocky terrain. Poor soil and hilly terrain that isn't great for crop agriculture often suits herding just fine.
What is the source of the water that flows in the Jordan River?
The Jordan's waters originate in the Lebanon Mountains to the north of the Sea of Galilee.
Name one or more reasons why Canaan is not a great place to farm? BONUS: Why?
There is no fresh water at the Dead Sea, it's very salty. The ground surrounding the Dead Sea is also too salty to grow crops. The Jordan River doesn't flood and provide rich soil.
The physical features of an area
geography
An area of sediment deposited at the mouth of a river.
Delta
What natural feature formed the western border of Canaan?
Mediterranean Sea
What is the kingdom to the south of Egypt?
Kush.
Why do you think Kush was a major trading center for raw materials and goods from all across the African continent?
The Nile connected many places.
Name three environmental factors that determined how good a place was to settle.
water, topography, vegetation
The shape and elevation of surface features, such as mountains or deserts, of a place or region.
Topography