Geographical Significance
Rivers
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers were very important to Mesopotamia. They provided fertile soil that was ideal for growing crops. The only problem was that the rivers flooded often, and were very unpredictable. These floods were able to destroy the villages and crops, turning them into a muddy mush.
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers were very important to Mesopotamia. They provided fertile soil that was ideal for growing crops. The only problem was that the rivers flooded often, and were very unpredictable. These floods were able to destroy the villages and crops, turning them into a muddy mush.
Environment
After the last ice age ended, around 12,000 B.C., the vegetation in current day Iraq, blah changed due to the warmer temperatures. many pine, oak, and cedar trees started to grow in forests. These woodlands became home for many deer, wolves, leopards, and wild sheep and goats. In the north, there were also many grasslands filled with boars, oxen, and lions. The south had birds that lived in the swamps and marshes.
After the last ice age ended, around 12,000 B.C., the vegetation in current day Iraq, blah changed due to the warmer temperatures. many pine, oak, and cedar trees started to grow in forests. These woodlands became home for many deer, wolves, leopards, and wild sheep and goats. In the north, there were also many grasslands filled with boars, oxen, and lions. The south had birds that lived in the swamps and marshes.
Farming and Irrigation Systems
Irrigation Systems
Mesopotamia depended on the rivers for water, and fertile soil to grow crops. But when the rivers would flood, the crops would just wash out, so the people had to adapt. They used irrigation canals. That way, the water could be stored away from the fields in the canals until it was needed to water the crops. The irrigation systems helped control flow of water and amount of water the crops received.
Mesopotamia depended on the rivers for water, and fertile soil to grow crops. But when the rivers would flood, the crops would just wash out, so the people had to adapt. They used irrigation canals. That way, the water could be stored away from the fields in the canals until it was needed to water the crops. The irrigation systems helped control flow of water and amount of water the crops received.