1. Geography of Northern Africa Chapter 3 Lesson 1

2. The Nile Valley Nile river flows South to North, from Lake Victoria and the Mountains to Mediterranean Sea Nile river flows South to North, from Lake Victoria and the Mountains to Mediterranean Sea Cuts through Sahara Desert, which was once a rich savanna, but in 5000 BC began to dry up Cuts through Sahara Desert, which was once a rich savanna, but in 5000 BC began to dry up World’s longest river World’s longest river Floods brought water and rich soil Floods brought water and rich soil Lower Egypt (Nile delta) and Upper Egypt (South) Lower Egypt (Nile delta) and Upper Egypt (South) Delta – low land formed at mouth of rivers, silt deposits Delta – low land formed at mouth of rivers, silt deposits Rich soil along the river, in the valley Rich soil along the river, in the valley

3. Black Land, Red Land Heavy rains near source of the Nile caused floods Heavy rains near source of the Nile caused floods Rich silt left behind=fertilizer Rich silt left behind=fertilizer Silt is dark, made the land look black – Kemet Silt is dark, made the land look black – Kemet 1972 – Aswan Dam changed way of life 1972 – Aswan Dam changed way of life Dry barren Sahara Desert=red lands Dry barren Sahara Desert=red lands

4. Farming in the Nile River Valley Wealthy owned most farmland Wealthy owned most farmland Farmers rented land from them, paying them with part of the crop (wheat, barley, onions, lettuce, beans) Farmers rented land from them, paying them with part of the crop (wheat, barley, onions, lettuce, beans) Raised cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs Raised cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs Beef was mostly for the wealthy Beef was mostly for the wealthy Birds and fish more common Birds and fish more common Flax plant and Sheep’s wool for clothing Flax plant and Sheep’s wool for clothing Leather used for containers, sacks, shoes Leather used for containers, sacks, shoes Some plants used for sandals, boxes, table tops Some plants used for sandals, boxes, table tops

5. Mesopotamia Vs. Egypt