The Nile River
What direction does the Nile River flow?
North, from the mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.
What two types of land surrounded Ancient Egypt?
The fertile “Black Land” and the dry “Red Land.”
What does the word “pharaoh” mean?
Great house” or “palace,” referring to the ruler of Egypt.
What were Egypt’s main crops?
Wheat, barley, flax, and papyrus.
What was Egypt’s writing system called?
Hieroglyphics.
What did the yearly floods of the Nile leave behind?
Rich, fertile silt for farming.
What natural barriers protected Egypt from invaders?
Deserts and cataracts.
Who united Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom?
King Narmer (Menes).
What material did Egyptians use to build homes?
Mud bricks made from Nile clay.
What was papyrus used for?
Making paper for writing and record keeping.
What did Egyptians build to store and control the Nile’s floodwaters?
Canals and basins.
What was the Nile Delta?
A fan-shaped area of fertile land where the Nile meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Which female pharaoh focused on expanding trade instead of war?
Hatshepsut.
How did the Nile River affect Egypt’s economy?
It allowed farming, trade, and transportation, which helped Egypt prosper.
What did Egyptians use to measure land and build pyramids accurately?
Mathematics and geometry.
Why did Egyptians call their land “Kemet,” or “Black Land”?
Because the floods left behind dark, fertile soil.
What is topography?
The shape and features of the land.
What was Pharaoh Ramses II known for?
Building great temples and signing the first peace treaty.
What animals helped Egyptians farm and transport goods?
Donkeys and oxen.
What type of calendar did Egyptians develop?
A 365-day calendar based on the flooding of the Nile and the stars.
How did the Nile River help unite Upper and Lower Egypt?
It provided easy travel and trade between regions.
How did geography help Egypt grow into a powerful civilization?
Fertile land, natural protection, and trade routes allowed Egypt to thrive.
Why did Egyptians see their pharaohs as both kings and gods?
They believed pharaohs were divine rulers chosen by the gods to lead Egypt.
How did food surplus change Egyptian society?
It allowed people to specialize in jobs like craftsmen, traders, and builders.
How did Egypt’s inventions and organization influence future civilizations?
They set examples in government, architecture, science, and written records.