1. Geography of Ancient Egypt Humanities I Mr. Davey

3. Geography of Egypt  Nile river is 4,000 miles long (drive to L.A. and back).  On each side of river is roughly 13,000 miles of land for growing crops(size of Switzerland).  Great soil gave Egypt the title “Bread Basket” of the ancient world.  If yearly flood was not just right, kingdom was in chaos.

4. What exactly did they grow?  * Wheat * Barley * Flax  * Vegetables (especially garlic, onions, corn, leeks, radishes, cabbage, Egyptian lettuce, cucumbers, asparagus, peas, and various spices)  *fruits (especially dates, figs, grapes, pomegranates, and melons)

6. Other Geographic Factors  Desert Protection  Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea  Protection and Source of Food  Cataracts (waterfalls)  Only way in by land was Isthmus of Suez  Plentiful Copper and Gold  Clay jars and pots from the river mud  Papyrus for: canoes, rafts, baskets, sandals, paper

10. Location  Egypt was located at an ancient world crossroads for trade.  Move up and down the Nile with the current north and winds pushed you south.  Peoples immigrated for the mild climate and good soil.  Two concentrations of peoples in Upper (Thebes) and Lower (Memphis)

13. Nomes (Sepat)  Nomes: an area of land run by a nobleman  This is how Egypt was organized before it was united.  Each Nome began as an independent area  Over time, nomes competed and were eventually united together.  20 nomes in the lower  22 nomes in the upper  Between 3200 and 2800 bce Menes unites these nomes by conquering the lower part.  Symbol of unity is the “double crown”