1. Chapter 5: Ancient Egypt
Lesson 1: Day 1
The Gift of the Nile

2. The Geography of Ancient Egypt
The Longest River
The Nile River is 4160 miles long; it is the world’s longest river.
Begins near the equator in Africa; flows north to the Mediterranean Sea. Flows downhill from the mountains in Ethiopia.
In the south it churns with cataracts
Cataracts- Waterfalls
In the north, the Nile branches into a delta.
Delta- Area of river’s mouth where water deposits fine soil called silt.
Nile branches into many streams in north.

3. The Nile River

4. The Geography of Ancient Egypt
The Longest River
Upper Nile in the south, Lower Nile in the North.
Heavy rains in Ethiopia caused the river to flood every summer for centuries.
Soil was fertile along the Nile.
Nile flooded same time each year.
Farmers were able to predict when to grow crops.

5. The Geography of Ancient Egypt
Red Land, Black Land
Ancient Egyptians lived in narrow bands of land on each side of the Nile.
Called the black land because of soil deposited there.
Red land was the barren desert.
8 months of the year was hot and sunny.
4 months of the year was sunny and cooler.
1 inch of rain per year. VERY DRY REGION

6. The Geography of Ancient Egypt
Isolation
Harsh deserts kept enemies away from Egypt.
Swampy coasts did not allow for ports to be built.
Egyptians remained isolated and close to home.
QUESTIONS?
Start working on map activity!