Bell Ringer: “Hail to you, O Nile, that issues from the earth and comes to keep Egypt alive! He that waters the meadows which he created, in order to keep every kid alive. He that makes to drink the desert and the place distant from the eater: that is his dew coming from the heaven. The lord of fishes, he who makes the marsh birds to go upstream. He who makes barley and brings emmer into being, that he may make the temples festive. If he is sluggish, then nostrils are stopped up, and everybody is poor. When he rises, then the land is in jubilation, then every belly is in joy, every backbone takes on laughter, and every tooth is exposed. The bringer of food, rich in provisions, creator of all good, lord of majesty, sweet fragrance.” - from Hymn to the Nile What does this verse tell you about the importance of the Nile River? What are the benefits of the Nile River? List a few examples from the verse. After reviewing this verse, why do you think that Ancient Egypt was called the “Gift of the Nile?”

Geography of Ancient Egypt: Natural protective barriers from outside influences Allowed it to evolve in its own unique way. Bordered by: Eastern and Western Deserts The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The most important geographic feature of Ancient Egypt is the Nile River.

The Nile River: The longest river in the world. Egypt is known as the “Gift of the Nile.” Without the Nile, Egypt may not have existed. Flows north from the heart of Africa to the Mediterranean Sea. Its flood plain was a magnet for life – human, plant and animal. Humans were drawn there because they could grow crops and settle into permanent villages.

The Flooding of the Nile River: For centuries, the Nile River flooded the valley, enriching the land with a thick layer of alluvial soil (black soil). Flooding began from July to September. The river attained its highest level in October, then began to recede to its lowest point sometime between April and June. This soil was extremely fertile and helped lead to an agricultural surplus. The river also was a constant water supply for irrigation – moving water from the source to other locations

Transportation and Trade: The Nile River was the highway that joined the country together through irrigated canals. Up until the nineteenth century, travel by land was virtually unknown. The Egyptians used the Nile to trade with the Nubians, a civilization located directly south of Egypt. Egyptians would sail down the Nile and stop at the cataracts – mini waterfalls, rapids Food, papyrus, and fabric made out of flax – soft, silky