WATER IN EGYPT

Water was more important to the development of a working civilization in Ancient Egypt

than Mesopotamia for the following reasons: irrigation, drinking, resources and trade. Although

these factors were used by both Egypt and Mesopotamia, the latter had a better understanding

and control over water than Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamia (3500 B.C.E. - 530 B.C.E.) was located in northeast Syria, which is now

know today as Iraq. It was mainly surrounded by water, most notably the Tigris and Euphrates

rivers, which is how it adopted its name “the land between the rivers”. Luckily it was also

located on the site of some of the world’s first permanent farming villages. The land and

climate within these regions was not the best area for the development of a working civilization,

as the South was primarily flat flood plain.

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Mesopotamia on the other

hand was not able to acquire adequate understanding of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which

eventually led to their demise. ), just as Mesopotamia, developed around a

large river. The Nile was

known to the Egyptians as their “lifeline”. One task for human beings is to know how to use it properly

to succeed.

Unlike the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the Nile would flood on an annual basis,

depositing rich supplies of silt for surrounding fields. The Egyptians used their knowledge of the Nile River to their advantage and were

able to strive for many years as a strong and advancing civilization. This river was and still is know as The Nile River. Based on the constant floods

travel and communication were also hindered by the flooding.

The Nile also provided a source of trade, by allowing merchants of the pharaohs and

nobles to travel up and down the river, sailing to lands bordering the Aegan, Mediterranean and

Red seas. They were unable to

control flooding or to develop adequate drainage, therefore it was of limited use to them. Based on this predictable annual event,

the Egyptians could plan when to plant seeds for the production of food to feed their population. e Mesopotamia peoples’ main problem, based on a lack of knowledge on

how to deal with them. This in turn lead to the people of the region producing many different types of food,

and contributing to their striving civilization.

Approximate Word count = 577
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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