Geography
Though political geography is in constant flux, physical geography is relatively static.
As we cover each segment of history on the left, we will look at current political geography on the right. I hope that combining historic geography with modern and physical geography we can gain a better understanding of how physical geography combines with history to shape the political world.
The Middle East is the crossroads of three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The oldest known civilizations started in this region. The Middle east usually ranges from stark dessert lands to lush river valleys. It was in this environment of contrast that the First Civilizations arose. The River valleys formed a fertile band that allowed agriculture to flourish. The Tigris and the Eurphaties are the major rivers of the Arabian Desert. It was on the banks of these rivers that Ur, Urak, Langas, and Babylon were build.
Sumer was not protected by Geography. The rivers that gave it life were prone to flood. Nomadic tribes roamed the region and would eventually over run the cities of Sumer. The Akkaidians and Babylonians were two of these groups that would displace Sumer. |