How the Land and Environment Shape Human Experience: An Idiots Guide Joe Ciaciura September 25, 2010

The Middle East Today Comprised of: – Egypt – Israel – Lebanon – Jordan – Saudi Arabia – Iraq – Syria – Turkey – Iran

Geographic Relief

Geographic Relief “The Fertile Crescent” “Egypt and Mesopotamia, the home of the first great civilizations were both river valley.” (Boadt 33) “Above all, fertile land for farming was at a premium. Because so much of the Near East was desert, population was concentrated in a wide arc of agricultural land from the Nile river in Egypt, up along the sea coast of Palestine, across northern Syria, and then down the great river system of Mesopotamia to the Persian Gulf. (Boadt 33) The Nile Delta Mesopotamia Palestine Mesopotamia Palestine

Road to the “The Promised Land” – Part I Abraham is sent by God out of his homeland and into the land of Canaan Due to famine he departs Canaan and heads to Egypt

Road to the “The Promised Land” – Part I – Cont. Abraham’s movements coincide with the major routes from Babylonia to Egypt (NJBC 73:15)

Road to the “The Promised Land” – Part II The Exodus The path of the Exodus is disputed

The Land of the Promised Land Palestine is comprised of four distinct geographic regions – Rift Valley – Coastal Plains – Central Mountains – Hill Country / Shephelah

The Rift Valley (Jordan Valley) Bounded by the Central Mountains on the West and the Transjordons on the East The lowest place on Earth – Sea of Galilee ~ 680 ft. below sea level – Dead Sea ~ 1300 ft below sea level Very hot and dry because of elevation – Little rain makes it over the Central Mountains

The Coastal Plains On the shores of the Mediterranean Mt. Carmel is the prominent feature and dictated trade routes through the area into Megiddo Warm and very humid – Similar in to D.C or St. Louis – Subject to rain and storms year round

The Central Mountains The “Spine of Palestine” Valued for its defensive heights Jerusalem is located here Cooler, less humid – Greater rainfall because of elevation

The Hill Country / Shephelah Made up of rolling and hilly land Widely inhabited because of its defensive protection Significant agriculturally – Olive groves – Grain production – Vineyards

How the Land and Environment Shape Human Experience Water provides for the Land – Fertility of the land dependant on a reliable source – Provides defense / isolation The Land provides for the people – Commerce – Agriculture – Livestock – Resources The Land guides the movement of people – Trade routes dictated by the geography – Settlement dependant on availability God provides the Land – Calls and guides His Chosen People – Chose the Land they would inhabit