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NAME    DATE    CLASS 

Studying Geography, Economics, and Citizenship

Geography and History Activity

Lesson 1 Studying Geography

Understanding Location: Physical MapsPhysical maps show land and water features. This can be a helpful way to understand the geography of an area. Physical features often form the borders between different countries. The size and location of features such as mountains or lakes can also affect the development of human civilizations.

The Importance of WaterOceans, seas, lakes, and rivers are all bodies of water. Throughout history, people have settled near them. People need water to survive, but they also need it to farm. For these reasons, many early civilizations have begun near rivers or the coasts of seas. Examples include the ancient river valley civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China.

Bodies of water can be important in other ways. When rivers or seas are easy to travel on, they provide useful transportation. Trade between distant places can take place by sea faster than it can by land. When rivers or seas are very large or difficult to travel upon, they can act as barriers that block travel. For thousands of years the Atlantic Ocean was such a barrier. It kept Europe apart from North and South America. 

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NAME    DATE    CLASS 

Studying Geography, Economics, and Citizenship

Geography and History Activity Cont.

Look at the map below. It shows a part of the world called the Middle East. This area is located in southwest Asia. Major civilizations arose in the region. These ancient civilizations depended on farming. Most of the areas in which they began were very dry. For this reason, they developed in the valleys of major rivers in the region. 

Caspian Sea

Persian Gulf

Black Sea

Red Sea

Mediterranean Sea

ArabianSea

Nile River

Tigris River Euphrates River

MESOPOTAMIA

EGYPT

40°E 50°E 60°E30°E

40°N

30°N

20°N

N

S

EW

0 300 km

300 miles0

Lambert Conformal Conic projection

DOPW (Discovering Our Past - World)

RESGChapter 2Map Title: Ancient MesopotamiaFile Name: C02_L1_wsgh_2A.aiSize: 39p6 x 32p0

Date/Proof: Jan 28, 2011

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panies.

NAME    DATE    CLASS 

Studying Geography, Economics, and Citizenship

Geography and History Activity Cont.

Directions: Answer the following questions.

Understanding the Concept1. Locating In what region is the Nile River located? Where are the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers located?

2. Applying What direction would you travel to reach the Nile from Mesopotamia?

3. Summarizing Why is water important for civilization?

Applying the Concept4. Making Inferences Where on the map would the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia have been likely to begin? Why?

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