Explanation:
It has been especially important in nourishing crops to transform dry, dusty desert soils into lush, green valleys and providing water for livestock. Of course people also needed the Nile's water. Across the ages, the river has been used for washing, cooking and drinking. Without it, Egypt would not have thrived.
For thousands of years, Egyptians have used water from the River Nile in many aspects of their daily life. It has been especially important in nourishing crops to transform dry, dusty desert soils into lush, green valleys and providing water for livestock.North of the capital Cairo, the river splits into two different channels flowing northwards to meet the Mediterranean Sea near the old medieval settlements of Damietta and Rosetta (or Rashid). The break-up of this mighty river takes place because, as the river nears the sea, its flow slows on flatter land.
As the river slows down, it no longer has the energy to carry all of the material it has transported across half-way across Africa and deposits (drops) the silt here, re-modelling the channel through which it flows. Viewed from above, the region of green growth close to the river fans out here – this area is called the Nile Delta.
Egyptians use Nile water for essential stuff like washing, cooking and drinking. Farmers use it to keep their plants and animals alive.
What are 2 ways the Nile River impacted Egyptian civilization?
Overview
Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River in large part because the river's annual flooding ensured reliable, rich soil for growing crops.Repeated struggles for political control of Egypt showed the importance of the region's agricultural production and economic resources.
Where is the River Nile?
The River Nile is in Africa. It originates in Burundi, south of the equator, and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the Mediterranean Sea.
Map of the River Nile from space
Notice that the land is green on either side of the Nile.
Where is the source of the River Nile?
Lake Victoria, Africa's biggest lake, is generally thought of as the source of the River Nile. On the northern edge of the lake, water pours over a waterfall, known as Ripon Falls, into a narrow opening which some people believe is the beginning of the River Nile.
The true source of the River Nile
Ripon Falls may be the starting-point of the river, but the many streams that flow into Lake Victoria could claim to be the true source.
Much of Lake Victoria is surrounded by mountains with streams tumbling down into the lake. The largest tributary of Lake Victoria is the Kagera river. The Kagera and its tributary the Ruvubu, with its headwaters in Burundi, is now considered to be the true source of the Nile. It is from here that the Nile is measured as the world's longest river.
What are the two main rivers that flow into the River Nile?
The River Nile is formed from the White Nile, which originates at Lake Victoria and the Blue Nile, which originates at Lake Tana in Ethiopia. These rivers meet in Sudan and then go on their long journey northwards towards the sea.
The White Nile is a lot bigger than the Blue Nile, but because of losses along the way the it only contributes about 15% to the flow of the combined Nile. The Blue Nile, rising in Ethiopia, contributes about 85% to the flow of the Nile that passes through Egypt to the Mediterranean.
Back to the top
Why did the Ancient Egyptians live near the River Nile?
Most Egyptians lived near the Nile as it provided water, food, transportation and excellent soil for growing food.
Why was the Nile River so important to the Ancient Egyptians?
Ancient Egypt could not have existed without the river Nile. Since rainfall is almost non-existent in Egypt, the floods provided the only source of moisture to sustain crops.
Every year, heavy summer rain in the Ethiopian highlands, sent a torrent of water that overflowed the banks of the Nile. When the floods went down it left thick rich mud (black silt) which was excellent soil to plant seeds in after it had been ploughed.
The ancient Egyptians could grow crops only in the mud left behind when the Nile flooded. So they all had fields all along the River Nile.
Find out about Egyptian Farming
What else did the Nile provide for the Ancient Egyptians?
Reeds, called papyrus, grew along side the Nile. The Egyptians made paper and boats from the reeds.
Find out about Egyptian Writing
The Nile also gave the ancient Egyptians food. They used spears and nets to catch fish. They would also use the nets to catch birds that flew close to the surface of the water.
Another way the Nile helped the ancient Egyptians was in trade. The Nile was the quickest and easiest way to travel from place to place
