Pyramids on the Nile

Main Idea: Along the Nile River, civilization emerged in Egypt and became united into a kingdom ruled by pharaohs.

While the Sumerian civilization was growing a similar process was developing along the banks of the Nile river. Egyptian Civilization would turn out to be different than the Sumerian city states.

Geography of Egypt

• At 4184 miles long, the Nile is the 1st or 2nd longest river in the world. It winds from Uganda to Ethiopia, flowing through a total of nine countries. While the Nile River is often associated with Egypt, it actually touches Ethiopia, Zaire, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan, as well as Egypt.

• The Egyptians mostly used the lower part of the Nile, the 750 miles before the river empties north into the Mediterranean.

• Beyond those 750 miles jagged granite cliffs and boulders turn the river into churning rapids called a cataract.

• River boats could not pass this First Cataract. Between the First Cataract were Upper and Lower Egypt. Upper Egypt went from the First Cataract to the point at which the Nile fans out.

• Lower Egypt consisted of the Nile delta region, which begins about 100 miles before the Nile enters the Mediterranean Sea.

• The delta region is rich land because of the soil deposits.

• Boat travel was easy because the Nile flowed north, and the winds went from north to south. This made it easy for people to trade with one another.

In Egypt, the floods are very pleasant. Every Spring, the Nile gently rises and deposits a fresh layer of silt along its banks. This is known as the Gift of the Nile.

• The people would use the soil to prepare fields for growing wheat and barley. They also used irrigation ditches. Some Egyptians worshiped the Nile as a god who gave them life and seldom turned against them.

Egypt vs Mesopotami

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• Farmers had an easier time in Egypt than they did in the Mesopotamia region. The Nile flooded on a yearly cycle like clockwork rather than following an unpredictable pattern.

• The Greek Historian Herodotus would remark Egypt was the gift of the Nile.

• Deserts separated Egyptians from other lands. The people were forced to live by the Nile, but they did not have to worry about the threat from invaders and avoided constant warfare.