Task Card - The Nile River
In this task you will be learning about the importance of the Nile River to the people and the history of Egypt.
The Nile is Egypt’s lifeblood. It is the longest river in the world at 6,741 km from its source in the East African Highlands to the delta at the Mediterranean Sea. The delta is a fertile area about 22,ooo sq km. To see a map of the Nile Valley, click the map on the left.
The water starts as rain in the central Sudan, raising the level of the White Nile, then in summer, the monsoons begin in the Ethiopian Highlands, causing rapid swelling of the Blue Nile. All of these sources of water combine and reach Egypt in a mass at the end of July. The Nile picks up tonnes of fertile soil along its northern journey, and when the river reaches the valley, it overflows the riverbank and spreads silt and water across the valley bottom.
There are many narrows in the river as it passes along the journey to the Nile Delta. The granite and sandstone walls on either side of the river in these narrows cause the river to become very violent as it tries to squeeze through. These areas are called cataracts and provide protection for the Egyptians, as it is not possible to pass through this violent water easily.
The Nile floods at almost exactly the same time every year, unlike the unpredictable Tigris and Euphrates Rivers of Mesopotamia. The flood waters spread evenly and cover the valley floor for a month or more. Because the Nile Valley slopes toward the Nile Delta, the flood waters slowly drain away on their own, leaving adding silt and resulting in the replenishing of the fertile black soil. These flood waters do not evaporate, so few harmful salts are left behind.
The predictable flooding of the Nile played an important role in the history of Egypt, and the lives of the Egyptians. Their year was divided by the changing seasons as follows:
The Nile is Egypt’s lifeblood. It is the longest river in the world at 6,741 km from its source in the East African Highlands to the delta at the Mediterranean Sea. The delta is a fertile area about 22,ooo sq km. To see a map of the Nile Valley, click the map on the left.
The water starts as rain in the central Sudan, raising the level of the White Nile, then in summer, the monsoons begin in the Ethiopian Highlands, causing rapid swelling of the Blue Nile. All of these sources of water combine and reach Egypt in a mass at the end of July. The Nile picks up tonnes of fertile soil along its northern journey, and when the river reaches the valley, it overflows the riverbank and spreads silt and water across the valley bottom.
There are many narrows in the river as it passes along the journey to the Nile Delta. The granite and sandstone walls on either side of the river in these narrows cause the river to become very violent as it tries to squeeze through. These areas are called cataracts and provide protection for the Egyptians, as it is not possible to pass through this violent water easily.
The Nile floods at almost exactly the same time every year, unlike the unpredictable Tigris and Euphrates Rivers of Mesopotamia. The flood waters spread evenly and cover the valley floor for a month or more. Because the Nile Valley slopes toward the Nile Delta, the flood waters slowly drain away on their own, leaving adding silt and resulting in the replenishing of the fertile black soil. These flood waters do not evaporate, so few harmful salts are left behind.
The predictable flooding of the Nile played an important role in the history of Egypt, and the lives of the Egyptians. Their year was divided by the changing seasons as follows:
Farming and the Seasons
(Note* - You can find more information about this cycle and the Nile river in the book "Other Places Other Times", pgs 75-77
Akhet , or flood time occurred from mid-June to September. When the land was covered with water, it freed the workers to do other things: building, creating, practicing their religions or working as artisans.
Peret , or sowing time occurred from October through February. Because the soil was moist, it was easy to plant crops and seeds.
Shemu , or harvest time occurred from March until early June. Because of the warm sun and good moist soil, the harvests were plentiful and provided more food than the people needed. Thus, Egyptians were freed up to do other things.
Egypt was protected on all sides as the deserts surrounding the river provided protection as well. This resulted on a very stable society and a strong sense of national identity. To learn more about the geography of Egypt, click here Check out the links in the page to learn some very interesting facts!
The Nile provided an excellent means of transportation as well. As the river flows north, traders could easily transport their goods down the current of the river. On their southward journey the Egyptians had the good fortune of constant winds that enabled them to easily sail their boats in the opposite direction of the current.
The Egyptians used the mud on the banks of the Nile to make mud bricks from which they made their homes and other buildings. The Nile was truly a gift to the Egyptian people.
The Nile provided :
-healthy harvests
-principal means of transportation
-source of mud for building
-protection as few could pass the cataracts
Akhet , or flood time occurred from mid-June to September. When the land was covered with water, it freed the workers to do other things: building, creating, practicing their religions or working as artisans.
Peret , or sowing time occurred from October through February. Because the soil was moist, it was easy to plant crops and seeds.
Shemu , or harvest time occurred from March until early June. Because of the warm sun and good moist soil, the harvests were plentiful and provided more food than the people needed. Thus, Egyptians were freed up to do other things.
Egypt was protected on all sides as the deserts surrounding the river provided protection as well. This resulted on a very stable society and a strong sense of national identity. To learn more about the geography of Egypt, click here Check out the links in the page to learn some very interesting facts!
The Nile provided an excellent means of transportation as well. As the river flows north, traders could easily transport their goods down the current of the river. On their southward journey the Egyptians had the good fortune of constant winds that enabled them to easily sail their boats in the opposite direction of the current.
The Egyptians used the mud on the banks of the Nile to make mud bricks from which they made their homes and other buildings. The Nile was truly a gift to the Egyptian people.
The Nile provided :
-healthy harvests
-principal means of transportation
-source of mud for building
-protection as few could pass the cataracts
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