Geographic Features Patten & Valdner Global History II Mepham High School Patten & Valdner Global History II Mepham High School

Geographic Features in a nation or region Explanation of how each factor has influenced historical developments and historical events of nations and regions

Sahara Desert in Africa Served as a barrier (harsh terrain limited travel), but did allow trade Promoted cultural diversity Made it difficult to unify Promoted tribalism and regionalism Desertification is taking place today Served as a barrier (harsh terrain limited travel), but did allow trade Promoted cultural diversity Made it difficult to unify Promoted tribalism and regionalism Desertification is taking place today

Himalaya Mountains in China Served as a barrier Isolated China from the rest of the world Protected China Promoted ethnocentrism and development of single culture “Middle Kingdom” Served as a barrier Isolated China from the rest of the world Protected China Promoted ethnocentrism and development of single culture “Middle Kingdom”

Monsoons in India Heavy winds that bring rain 2x per year Natives depend on monsoons for their crops Too much rain = destroys crops = famine Too little rain = drought = famine Heavy winds that bring rain 2x per year Natives depend on monsoons for their crops Too much rain = destroys crops = famine Too little rain = drought = famine

Island Location of Japan Isolated Japan from the rest of the world Protected Japan Promoted ethnocentrism & development of a single culture Respect for nature - depends on sea for food Isolated Japan from the rest of the world Protected Japan Promoted ethnocentrism & development of a single culture Respect for nature - depends on sea for food

Natural Resources in Japan Japan lacks natural resources Promoted imperialism to gain raw materials (Manchuria 1931) Developed industrial economy because lack of land for farming (permitted only some terrace farming) Japan lacks natural resources Promoted imperialism to gain raw materials (Manchuria 1931) Developed industrial economy because lack of land for farming (permitted only some terrace farming)

Nile River in Egypt Provided fertile soil for farming Used for transportation & trade Home of ancient civilization (river valley) Provided fertile soil for farming Used for transportation & trade Home of ancient civilization (river valley)

Irregular Coastline of Great Britain Natural harbors and ports Excellent for trade Industrial Revolution began in Britain Natural harbors and ports Excellent for trade Industrial Revolution began in Britain

Size & Climate of Russia Nation is huge & extremely cold (little arable land) Reason for defeat of Napoleon & Hitler Promoted Peter & Catherine the Great to seek warm-water port on the Black Sea (so they could trade all year) Poor farming Nation is huge & extremely cold (little arable land) Reason for defeat of Napoleon & Hitler Promoted Peter & Catherine the Great to seek warm-water port on the Black Sea (so they could trade all year) Poor farming