Terrain: Shows contours of Terrain: Shows contours of the landthe land

OasisOasis

““An oasis is an area of land in the middle of a An oasis is an area of land in the middle of a desert with a natural water source. Some of the desert with a natural water source. Some of the

oases in ancient Egypt were large enough so oases in ancient Egypt were large enough so that people could settle there and grow fruit that people could settle there and grow fruit

and grain. One oasis was actually the site of a and grain. One oasis was actually the site of a vineyard which produced wine for the vineyard which produced wine for the

pharaoh.”pharaoh.” Return to

“Geographical Features”

DesertsDeserts

• ““The deserts that surrounded ancient Egypt The deserts that surrounded ancient Egypt were barren places full of sand dunes, were barren places full of sand dunes, mountains and cliffs. The deserts were mountains and cliffs. The deserts were

dangerous and forbidding places, and it was dangerous and forbidding places, and it was difficult to cross them. They provided a natural difficult to cross them. They provided a natural

barrier between ancient Egypt and invading barrier between ancient Egypt and invading foreign armies.”foreign armies.”

Return to “Geographical

Features”

QuarriesQuarries

““The ancient Egyptians quarried many different The ancient Egyptians quarried many different types of stone. Limestone, sandstone and types of stone. Limestone, sandstone and granite were some of the most common granite were some of the most common

stones used in making statues, and building stones used in making statues, and building temples and pyramids.”  temples and pyramids.”  Return to

“Geographical Features”

Delta of Nile RiverDelta of Nile River

““The Nile runs through the desert plain out The Nile runs through the desert plain out to the Mediterranean sea. Just before it to the Mediterranean sea. Just before it

reaches the sea it separates out into several reaches the sea it separates out into several small branches, creating the marshy land small branches, creating the marshy land

known as the Delta.”  known as the Delta.”  Return to

“Geographical Features”

MinesMines

““The mines of the eastern desert produced The mines of the eastern desert produced important natural resources like gold and semi-important natural resources like gold and semi-

precious stones.precious stones.

The ancient Egyptians used these materials to The ancient Egyptians used these materials to make jewelery and special objects for the make jewelery and special objects for the

pharaoh and his family, members of the nobility, pharaoh and his family, members of the nobility, and temples.”and temples.”

Return to “Geographical

Features”

THE NILETHE NILE

““The Nile river was the centre of life in ancient Egypt. It The Nile river was the centre of life in ancient Egypt. It provided the ancient Egyptians with food and water as well as provided the ancient Egyptians with food and water as well as

a way to transport goods and people across long distances.a way to transport goods and people across long distances.

Every year, the combination of melting snow and heavy rains Every year, the combination of melting snow and heavy rains in the southern mountains increased the amount of water in the southern mountains increased the amount of water

being channeled into the Nile. This extra water made the Nile being channeled into the Nile. This extra water made the Nile overflow and flood its banks.overflow and flood its banks.

The flood waters covered the fertile land where the ancient The flood waters covered the fertile land where the ancient Egyptians grew crops, making farming impossible. But within Egyptians grew crops, making farming impossible. But within

a few months, the flood waters would recede, leaving the a few months, the flood waters would recede, leaving the fields ready for plowing and planting again.” fields ready for plowing and planting again.” 

Return to “Geographical

Features”

Fertile LandFertile Land

““A narrow strip of land on the banks of the Nile was A narrow strip of land on the banks of the Nile was suitable for growing crops. This land was fertile for suitable for growing crops. This land was fertile for two main reasons.  It was well fertilized by the silt two main reasons.  It was well fertilized by the silt deposited by the receding flood waters every year. deposited by the receding flood waters every year.

And, it was close enough to the river so that And, it was close enough to the river so that farmers could dig irrigation trenches to keep their farmers could dig irrigation trenches to keep their crops well-watered during the growing season.”crops well-watered during the growing season.”

Return to “Geographical

Features”

Natural Natural resourcesresources

ArchaeologicArchaeological Sitesal Sites

Featured Featured ObjectsObjects

Modern Modern politicalpolitical

Now you understand Now you understand what Egypt looks like…what Egypt looks like…

……Now you have to apply it to Now you have to apply it to other aspects of ancient Egyptian other aspects of ancient Egyptian

life!life!