Introduction/Landscape

Civilization began in Egypt around 3100 BCE. (Not long after Mesopotamia)

It developed around the longest river in the world, the Nile River.

The Nile Valley could be separated into two parts, the region of rich silt soil or Black land (AKA Kemet) , and the dead sands of the surrounding deserts or Red Land (AKA Deshret).

The river flooded annually leaving behind rich supplies of silt for surrounding fields.

This created a narrow ribbon of fertility that cut through the deserts in North Africa.

Provided a great deal of minerals.

Was a source of gold and fine gems.

Provided copper for the manufacture of tools and weapons.

Provided valuable building materials such as granite, quartzite, flint, marble, and slate.

Provided protection from invasions from other lands.

Upper Egypt was marked by the Nile River Valley, and was surrounded by the deserts. It was referred to as Ta-shema.

Lower Egypt was marked by different branches of the Nile River which created a fertile triangular plain.

It was referred to as Ta-mehu.