Sixth Grade Social Studies Geography of the Nile Sixth Grade Social Studies

Questions to Explore How does the geography of the Nile River change as it runs from its sources of to the delta? How did the Nile support human life in ancient times? KEY TERMS Delta silt

A Greek Historian once said…. “Egypt is the gift of the Nile.” In your groups, discuss what he meant by this quote.

The Course of the Nile The Nile is the world’s longest river. It flows north from central Africa all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. (more than the distance across the U.S.A.!!!!)

The Course of the Nile… The Nile has two main sources:  The thundering Blue Nile and the calmer White Nile. The Blue Nile rises in the highlands of Ethiopia while the White Nile begins deep in central Africa. The rivers meet in the present-day country of Sudan where the Nile begins its journey through the desert towards the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile Through Ancient Egypt The ancient Egyptian section of the Nile ran for about 700 miles, from Aswan to the Mediterranean Sea. It passed through a narrow region called Upper Egypt. This fertile land had an average width of a few miles on each side of the river. In the north, the Nile spread out to form a fertile area called Lower Egypt.  Deserts stretched on either side of the river’s banks.

Discuss... Using the information you have received so far, discuss with your group how ancient Egypt is similar to ancient Mesopotamia.

The Delta At the end of the Nile, the river splits into several streams that flow to the sea. These streams formed an area shaped like a triangle. This delta contained very good farmland.

With your group, discuss why you think the delta was so fertile.

The Gifts of the Nile Every spring, waters came rushing down from the highlands. As they flowed, they brought rich, fertile soil called silt. Each spring the Nile flooded. This flooding deposited a layer of thick silt that was perfect for farming

Black Land & Red Land The ancient Egyptians called their land “the black land” because of the dark soil that was left by the flooding of the Nile Unlike in Mesopotamia, Egyptians usually didn’t have to worry about flash floods Beyond the fertile river banks lay the “red land,” which was a huge desert.

Red Land Desert spread on either side of the Nile Most of the Sahara desert lay to the west Part of the Sahara lay to the east Not friendly to human life Useless for farming But offered protection from foreign attacks

Civilizations Along the Nile Around 4000 B.C., communities were built around the delta of the Nile Homes were built of straw, or bricks made from mud/straw

The Growth of Trade Think of the Nile as a highway for trade Ships could float downriver, and sail upriver to trade along the Nile Another trade link ran east across the desert and the Red Sea to Mesopotamia Gold, silver, copper, pottery, cedar, etc. were traded