The earliest civilizations -- Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China -- had at least one common characteristic: they developed along river valleys. Mesopotamia grew up along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Egypt drew its life from the Nile, India's earliest civilization sprung from the Indus River Valley, and Chinese civilization originated along the mighty Yellow River. All of these relied on rivers fro a steady source of water, fertile soil, and fish to supplement their diet. In most cases, the rivers also served as an easy means of communication, facilitating trade and the exchange of ideas.
The decision of early farmers to settle in the river valleys and attempt to control and utilize rivers had profound implications for the rise of early civilizations. They great river valleys of the world provided the key ingredients for the worldis first civilizations to flourish.
Mesopotamia's Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Egypt's Nile River
India's Indus River
China's Yellow River
Writing: ECHOES from the Past published by McGraw-Hill Ryderson Ltd.
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