NEST 101 Lecture 1: Geographical Overview of the Near East and Egypt
15 Jan 2019
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Geographical overview of the near east and egypt. Near east (used in antiquity) / middle east (used now) / western asia (used now but doesn"t include egypt) . The earliest civilizations of mesopotamia were in iraq. Areas defined by alluvial plains (flood plains). Alluvial soil is carried by flooding rivers and is very rich in nutrients. Huge variety in the near east variety in culture too. ie. settlements on the coast of the mediterranean sea were major trade cities. Mesopotamia is greek for between the rivers" (tigris & euphrates). Note that the tigris & euphrates rivers almost connect, but don"t. Note that the courses of the rivers have changed over time, especially in iraq. Lots of marsh houses here, made from bundles of reeds. In iraq (south), small man-made canals brought water for agricultural fields. Not enough rain to support the crops.
