Ancient Civilization Geography

An agricultural region known as Mesopotamia; stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea

• the Fertile Crescent

• Mediterranean Sea

An important body of water that allowed the people of Greece and Rome easier access for trade and travel.

• The Nile River

• Mediterranean Sea

The rivers allowed for farming and a food surplus in Mesopotamia

• Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

• The Nile and Yellow Rivers

Body of water whose yearly flooding made it possible to farm in Egypt.

• the Mediterranean Sea

• the Nile River

Rich silt found in this river allowed the people of China to farm along it's banks; also called China's Sorrow because it's yearly flooding killed millions.

• the Yellow River

• the Nile River

Seasonal winds that brought heavy rains to the people of India for part of the year and dry air for the other part of the year.

• monsoons

• slash and burn

Floating gardens that allowed the Aztecs to farm on their swampy island.

• chinampas

• the Fertile Crescent

A method used by the Maya in the rainforest to cut down trees and use the ash to fertilize the soil is called

• traditional farming

• slash and burn

Underground storage facilities used by the Maya to hold fresh water are called

• reservoirs

• chinampas

Rapids along the Nile River that affected trade and transportation but also protected the people from invasion are called

• cataracts

• reservoirs