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6th Grade UBD - Unit 3 - Geography of Egypt

Land of the Nile- Egypt is located in northeastern Africa. Its
ancient people created one of the world’s earliest
civilizations.

Civilization Develops from Agriculture- Ancient Egyptians
took advantage of the annual flooding of the Nile to
develop a highly productive system of agriculture.

Trade Brings Great Wealth- The surplus of crops grown
along the Nile River Valley provided the opportunity for
trade.

The geography of ancient
Egypt developed around
the Nile River. From what
you know about geography
explain how the Nile River
could have impacted the
lives of Egyptian people.
(5 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
answer with theirs.
What things are
the same and what
things are
different? (3
minutes)
Key Term
Egypt- Located in
the northeast
corner of the
African continent,
Egypt is a land of
deserts,
mountains, and
the Nile River.
Video- Ancient Egypt

The Nile is the most important feature of Egypt’s
geography, and it has played a major role in the country’s
history. It is surrounded by desert on either side.

As Egyptian civilization developed, two major kingdoms
formed: Upper Egypt, which is along the Nile River; and
Lower Egypt, which is in the Nile River delta.

Almost all the cities of ancient and modern Egypt have
developed along the Nile River.

Egypt is located in
northeastern Africa.

The Nile is the longest river in
the world—more than 4,000
miles!

The area where the Nile flows
into the Mediterranean Sea is
called a delta.
Key Term
Nile River- The
longest river in
the world. The
Nile is the most
important
feature of
Egypt’s
geography.
Key Term
Delta- A
triangular area
of flat land
shaped like a
triangle at the
mouth of a
river.

In ancient times, most of
the population of Egypt
lived near the Nile River.

Some lived in Lower Egypt
near the Nile River delta.
Others lived in Upper
Egypt along the Nile River.

Farming was
generally successful
around the Nile
because of a material
called silt, which was
left by the river when
it floods.

Major cities, as well as
farming villages, also
developed along the
Nile.

The largest cities in
ancient Egypt were
Thebes, Memphis, and
Giza.

All of history’s earliest
civilizations developed in
river valleys, due to the
fertility of the soil that
allowed for the eventual
development of an
agricultural surplus.

An important crop in ancient
Egypt was a reed called
papyrus.

Papyrus grew easily in marshes
and was also used to make rope,
matting, and sandals.

Papyrus eventually became one
of Egypt’s most important
crops.
Video- The Invention of Paper

The chief difference
between the
civilization of the Nile
and those of the TigrisEuphrates was the
reliability of the Nile’s
flooding.

The annual flooding of
the Nile led to a bounty
in agricultural
production that jumpstarted Egyptian
civilization and made
Egypt the granary of the
ancient world.

Today, Egypt is a busy
modern country. However,
most of its population is still
located along the Nile River.

In fact, the valley of the Nile
is one of the most densely
populated areas in the
world.

Egypt’s geography was the
reason it developed into
such an advanced
civilization.

Its major cities, and much of
its population, were
centered along the Nile.

The river has made life in
the region possible.
Video- Egypt and the Nile River
Reading Handout- A River of Life

Ancient Egyptians used irrigation techniques to help them
grow a variety of crops. They also raised domestic animals.

Cooperation and organization were required to maintain the
agricultural system. Governments grew as a result.

The surplus of crops enabled some people to work in areas
other than farming. Many people became craftsmen and
artists, which helped to advance Egyptian civilization.

Agriculture and the
irrigation projects were
the foundations of early
Egyptian civilization.

Irrigation projects
required a lot of
workers.

Leaders emerged to
manage workers and
supervise construction
efforts.

As the amount of
farmland increased, so
did the quantity of food.

A surplus of crops enabled
some Egyptians to work in
other jobs besides
farming.

The combination of
growing governments and
specialized workers led to
the growth of towns.

Egyptians exported crops such as wheat, barley,
papyrus, and linen. They imported timber, copper,
gold, and precious stones.

Their trading partners were mainly other regions in
Africa, such as Nubia and Punt, and parts of
Southwest Asia.

Imports were used to create luxury items for wealthy
Egyptians.

Egypt’s food
surplus eventually
led to a trade
economy that
made it the richest
kingdom of its time.

Egypt was able to
trade its agricultural
products for goods
that were scarce in
Egypt, such as timber,
precious metals, and
gemstones.

Egyptians did not have to
rely on trade for the
goods they needed to
survive.

Instead, they could
exchange the river’s
bounty for goods desired
by the rich.

By the 1500s BCE,
Egypt had become the
wealthiest civilization
in ancient Africa.

The Egyptians had the
Nile and its valley to
thank for their riches.

By learning how to
harness the power of the
Nile, Egyptians were
able to create a
flourishing civilization.

Even today, people still
depend on the Nile and
the resources it provides.
Key Term
Economy- The
way a country
manages its
money and
resources to
produce, buy, and
sell goods and
services.
Video- Economy
Reading Handout- Egyptian Culture and Trade

What has been the
“muddiest” point so far in
this lesson? That is, what
topic remains the least
clear to you? (4 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
muddiest point with
theirs. Compare
what things are the
same and what
things are different?
(3 minutes)