The document provides a timeline of civilizations in the Americas from 40,000 BC to around 1200 AD. It summarizes the Olmec, Mayan, Tiwanakan, and Moche civilizations, describing their origins, social structures, religious practices, and agricultural techniques. Key points include the Olmec being the first major civilization around 1500 BC, the Mayans developing large cities and advanced agriculture between 100 BC to 200 AD, and the Tiwanakans and Moche having different environmental challenges requiring distinct irrigation solutions.
Riba refers to interest or usury, which is prohibited in Islam. There are two main categories of riba - debt riba, which includes interest on loans, and trade riba, which involves the exchange of goods with unequal quantities or delayed exchange. The Quran gradually prohibited riba over several verses. Riba is prohibited in Islam because it places an undue burden on borrowers and can have negative impacts on society as a whole.
The document provides an overview of the financial market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It discusses the history and development of the UAE financial market. Key points include:
- The UAE economy was traditionally based on fishing and pearling but has been transformed by oil exports into a modern state with a high per capita income and trade surplus.
- The economy remains dependent on oil and gas revenues which finance infrastructure development. Non-oil sectors like tourism and services are growing.
- The government budget runs surpluses due to rising oil prices, though actual government finances are larger than reported due to off-budget oil investment funds.
- The banking, insurance and government procurement sectors still
1. The document discusses the spread of Nestorian Christianity along the Silk Road from Persia to China between the 5th-13th centuries. It spread through missions from the Church of the East.
2. In 635, Patriarch Yeshuyab II sent Bishop Alopen to establish Christianity in China. A Nestorian community flourished until it declined under later emperors.
3. Mongol rulers like Chinggis Khan and his descendants integrated Nestorian Christianity into the Mongol Empire, with some wives and mothers being Nestorian. This helped spread the faith among Mongol tribes.
The document provides information about Dubai Islamic Bank's (DIB) products and services. It begins with an introduction to DIB as the world's first Islamic bank established in 1975 in Dubai. It then outlines DIB's vision and describes various deposit accounts like savings, current, e-saving, and fixed deposits. Next, it discusses business financing products like murabaha, musharakah, mudarabah, ijara, and sakuk. It also covers consumer financing. The document then discusses management remuneration and profit calculation, providing historical profit rates for various accounts. In summary, the document outlines DIB's range of Sharia-compliant banking products and services as well as its profit distribution
Australia is located between the Indian and South Pacific Oceans, making it the world's smallest continent but sixth largest country. It has a predominantly hot and dry climate with most rainfall occurring in the northern tropical areas. Key geographical features include the Great Dividing Range mountains, the Great Barrier Reef offshore, and the island state of Tasmania to the south, while native animals such as kangaroos and koalas are iconic parts of its landscape.
The document provides information about Australia. It states that Canberra is the capital of Australia, Sydney is the oldest and largest city, kangaroos are a popular Australian animal, the Australian natives are Aboriginal people, Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770, and the official language is English. It also gives overviews of the capital cities Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart.
New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. It comprises two main islands and several smaller islands. The North Island is more populated and smaller, while the South Island is larger and known for its beautiful scenery. Some key features of New Zealand's geography include mountains, lakes, glaciers, farms, and beaches. The capital is Wellington and the largest city is Auckland. The culture was originally formed by the Maori people and later influenced by British colonization in the 1800s. Traditional Maori practices like the haka dance remain an important part of New Zealand's cultural identity today.
Riba refers to interest or usury, which is prohibited in Islam. There are two main categories of riba - debt riba, which includes interest on loans, and trade riba, which involves the exchange of goods with unequal quantities or delayed exchange. The Quran gradually prohibited riba over several verses. Riba is prohibited in Islam because it places an undue burden on borrowers and can have negative impacts on society as a whole.
The document provides an overview of the financial market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It discusses the history and development of the UAE financial market. Key points include:
- The UAE economy was traditionally based on fishing and pearling but has been transformed by oil exports into a modern state with a high per capita income and trade surplus.
- The economy remains dependent on oil and gas revenues which finance infrastructure development. Non-oil sectors like tourism and services are growing.
- The government budget runs surpluses due to rising oil prices, though actual government finances are larger than reported due to off-budget oil investment funds.
- The banking, insurance and government procurement sectors still
1. The document discusses the spread of Nestorian Christianity along the Silk Road from Persia to China between the 5th-13th centuries. It spread through missions from the Church of the East.
2. In 635, Patriarch Yeshuyab II sent Bishop Alopen to establish Christianity in China. A Nestorian community flourished until it declined under later emperors.
3. Mongol rulers like Chinggis Khan and his descendants integrated Nestorian Christianity into the Mongol Empire, with some wives and mothers being Nestorian. This helped spread the faith among Mongol tribes.
The document provides information about Dubai Islamic Bank's (DIB) products and services. It begins with an introduction to DIB as the world's first Islamic bank established in 1975 in Dubai. It then outlines DIB's vision and describes various deposit accounts like savings, current, e-saving, and fixed deposits. Next, it discusses business financing products like murabaha, musharakah, mudarabah, ijara, and sakuk. It also covers consumer financing. The document then discusses management remuneration and profit calculation, providing historical profit rates for various accounts. In summary, the document outlines DIB's range of Sharia-compliant banking products and services as well as its profit distribution
Australia is located between the Indian and South Pacific Oceans, making it the world's smallest continent but sixth largest country. It has a predominantly hot and dry climate with most rainfall occurring in the northern tropical areas. Key geographical features include the Great Dividing Range mountains, the Great Barrier Reef offshore, and the island state of Tasmania to the south, while native animals such as kangaroos and koalas are iconic parts of its landscape.
The document provides information about Australia. It states that Canberra is the capital of Australia, Sydney is the oldest and largest city, kangaroos are a popular Australian animal, the Australian natives are Aboriginal people, Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770, and the official language is English. It also gives overviews of the capital cities Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart.
New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. It comprises two main islands and several smaller islands. The North Island is more populated and smaller, while the South Island is larger and known for its beautiful scenery. Some key features of New Zealand's geography include mountains, lakes, glaciers, farms, and beaches. The capital is Wellington and the largest city is Auckland. The culture was originally formed by the Maori people and later influenced by British colonization in the 1800s. Traditional Maori practices like the haka dance remain an important part of New Zealand's cultural identity today.
The document provides an overview of Australia, including its location in the southern hemisphere between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It discusses Australia's history of colonization beginning in the 18th century and notes that Indigenous Australians were the original inhabitants. It also summarizes key facts about Australia such as its capital Canberra, largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, popular sports like cricket and surfing, multicultural population, and predominant religions of Christianity and non-affiliation.
Tasmania is an island state of Australia known as the "Apple Isle" due to its apple production. It has a population of over 500,000 and cities include Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie. Tasmania has abundant natural beauty, with over 45% of its land protected in reserves and national parks. It is home to unique wildlife like the Tasmanian devil and eastern quoll.
This document discusses Islamic entrepreneurship and business. It begins by defining entrepreneurship and noting that it is an integral part of Islamic religion. Muslim entrepreneurs have a responsibility as stewards to develop prosperity and see business as a form of worship. Islamic business must follow sharia principles such as avoiding interest, ensuring fairness, honesty, and lawful earnings. The document then examines the concept and principles of Islamic business, factors of production, and functions of business from an Islamic perspective. It also discusses the environment, types of businesses, challenges, and prospects for Islamic entrepreneurship.
Oceania is a geographic region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, Oceania has a land area of 8,525,989 square kilometres (3,291,903 sq mi) and a population of over 41 million. When compared to continents, the region of Oceania is the smallest in land area and the second smallest in population after Antarctica.
Oceania has a diverse mix of economies from the highly developed and globally competitive financial markets of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand, which rank high in quality of life and human development index, to the much less developed economies such as Papua New Guinea, Indonesian New Guinea, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Tuvalu, while also including medium-sized economies of Pacific islands such as Palau, Fiji and Tonga.The largest and most populous country in Oceania is Australia, and the largest city is Sydney.
The document provides an overview of the Sultanate of Oman, including its location, climate, culture, economy, and way of life. Some key points include:
- Oman is located in the Arabian Peninsula and has a population of approximately 2.5 million people. The capital is Muscat.
- The climate varies by region but is generally hot and humid, especially along the northern coast.
- Islam is the main religion and Arabic is the official language, though English is also widely spoken.
- The economy relies on oil exports and tourism. The currency is the Omani Rial.
- Life in Oman balances modern amenities with traditional Gulf culture. Expats find
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates located in the Persian Gulf. It has a high GDP per capita and a growing economy focused on business, trade, tourism, and oil/gas exports. The population is around 4.8 million, with only 20% Emirati citizens and the rest expatriate workers. The government is a federation led by hereditary emir rulers, with each emirate having autonomy over local affairs. The economy has diversified beyond oil/gas but these remain important industries and the country possesses large energy reserves.
Australia presentation VPV Hanoi Vietnam 2013WendyAlParisy
This is presentation of Australian from our volunteers Amy, Jane, Clare and Issy. They worked with VPV Hanoi, Vietnam from Dec 2012 to Jan 2013. Thank you and enjoy!
The document discusses Salam, an Islamic financing contract where payment is made upfront for goods to be delivered later. It defines Salam, provides perspectives from Islamic law schools, and outlines conditions like precisely specifying the commodity, quality, quantity and delivery timeframe. Salam can finance farmers, traders and industrialists by providing upfront capital. Risks are transferred between buyer and seller, and parallel Salam contracts allow immediate resale of goods.
The flag of Ghana represents the nation's history and resources. The red symbolizes blood spilled in the fight for independence, gold represents Ghana's mineral wealth, and green stands for its rich vegetation. The black star signifies emancipation and unity against colonialism. Ghana exports commodities like gold, cocoa, diamonds, and timber. Its economy also depends on tourism and other services. Some of Ghana's fair trade products include cocoa beans from farmer-owned cooperatives.
The document provides an overview of key facts about countries, geography, climate, natural resources, religions, governments, and languages in the Middle East region. It lists 22 countries in the region and notes the total land area is over 8 million square miles, covering parts of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia. The geography is varied, containing mountains, deserts, seas, and climate ranges from hot/arid to temperate to cold. Major natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, and other minerals. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the predominant religions. Government structures include constitutional, parliamentary, and monarchies. Commonly spoken languages are Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, Turkic, and
Legal Framework of the Malaysian Financial SystemMahyuddin Khalid
This document discusses the legal framework of Islamic finance in Malaysia. It begins by outlining the primary sources of Islamic law - the Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas. It then examines how Islamic legal rulings and principles related to financial transactions have been derived through various methods of interpretation and jurisprudence. Finally, it provides an overview of the key Malaysian laws governing Islamic banking - the Islamic Banking Act of 1983 and Government Investment Act of 1983 - which established the regulatory framework for Islamic financial institutions.
The document provides information about the United Arab Emirates, including its national anthem, introduction, climate, demographics, holidays, history, government structure, economy focused on oil/gas, tourism, aviation, agriculture including dates, media/culture, and sports like camel racing. It also shares perspectives on the UAE through the eyes of Indians living in the country.
South Australia is the state located in the southern part of Australia. Its capital is Adelaide. It is the 4th largest of Australia's 8 states and territories. In South Australia, many people live underground in Coober Pedy to stay cool in the hot climate, as the area is located near the center of Australia. Another unique feature is Blue Lake in Mount Gambier, which has bright blue water that changes color and is located in a volcanic crater. South Australia also has its own flag depicting its history and symbols like the Piping Shrike bird and Hairy Nosed Wombat animal.
The document provides an overview of the geography of Oceania, including its varied physical features such as volcanic mountains, atolls, and lagoons that are home to unique wildlife. It then describes some of the key geographic regions of Australia, such as the Great Dividing Range, Western Plateau, Central Lowlands, and Outback. It also discusses the climate, rivers, reefs, and farming. The document concludes with descriptions of the types of islands found in Oceania and details about New Zealand's North and South Islands.
HBL was established in 1941 in Bombay and now has over 1466 branches in Pakistan and 112 overseas offices. It aims to offer Islamic financial products through integrity and good governance. It offers various financing products like Murabaha, Musharakah, Ijarah, and Sukuk. It also provides trade services like letters of credit and collections. HBL Islamic Banking ensures Shariah compliance and has financing options that adhere to Islamic principles for businesses, trade, and asset ownership.
The document provides information about three ancient Mesoamerican civilizations: the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. It discusses their locations, political structures, religions, accomplishments, and eventual declines. The Maya settled in what is now the Yucatan peninsula and had numerous independent city-states. They developed advanced calendars, mathematics, and hieroglyphic writing. Around 900 AD, many Maya abandoned their cities due to a severe drought. The Aztecs built the great city of Tenochtitlan in present-day Mexico and created an empire through conquest and tribute. They practiced human sacrifice on a large scale before being conquered by the Spanish in 1521. The Inca ruled a large empire from Cuzco
The document provides information on three ancient civilizations of the Americas: the Maya, Inca, and Aztec. It describes the location, dates, government structures, economies, religious practices, and achievements of each civilization. It also highlights some of their most important sites, including Chichen Itza for the Maya, Machu Picchu and Cuzco for the Inca, and Tenochtitlan for the Aztec. Each civilization had a polytheistic religion and built pyramid structures. The Maya made advances in mathematics, calendars, and writing. The Inca developed an extensive road network and record keeping system using knots. The Aztec ruled a large empire and demanded tribute from conquered peoples.
The document provides an overview of Australia, including its location in the southern hemisphere between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It discusses Australia's history of colonization beginning in the 18th century and notes that Indigenous Australians were the original inhabitants. It also summarizes key facts about Australia such as its capital Canberra, largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, popular sports like cricket and surfing, multicultural population, and predominant religions of Christianity and non-affiliation.
Tasmania is an island state of Australia known as the "Apple Isle" due to its apple production. It has a population of over 500,000 and cities include Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie. Tasmania has abundant natural beauty, with over 45% of its land protected in reserves and national parks. It is home to unique wildlife like the Tasmanian devil and eastern quoll.
This document discusses Islamic entrepreneurship and business. It begins by defining entrepreneurship and noting that it is an integral part of Islamic religion. Muslim entrepreneurs have a responsibility as stewards to develop prosperity and see business as a form of worship. Islamic business must follow sharia principles such as avoiding interest, ensuring fairness, honesty, and lawful earnings. The document then examines the concept and principles of Islamic business, factors of production, and functions of business from an Islamic perspective. It also discusses the environment, types of businesses, challenges, and prospects for Islamic entrepreneurship.
Oceania is a geographic region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, Oceania has a land area of 8,525,989 square kilometres (3,291,903 sq mi) and a population of over 41 million. When compared to continents, the region of Oceania is the smallest in land area and the second smallest in population after Antarctica.
Oceania has a diverse mix of economies from the highly developed and globally competitive financial markets of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand, which rank high in quality of life and human development index, to the much less developed economies such as Papua New Guinea, Indonesian New Guinea, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Tuvalu, while also including medium-sized economies of Pacific islands such as Palau, Fiji and Tonga.The largest and most populous country in Oceania is Australia, and the largest city is Sydney.
The document provides an overview of the Sultanate of Oman, including its location, climate, culture, economy, and way of life. Some key points include:
- Oman is located in the Arabian Peninsula and has a population of approximately 2.5 million people. The capital is Muscat.
- The climate varies by region but is generally hot and humid, especially along the northern coast.
- Islam is the main religion and Arabic is the official language, though English is also widely spoken.
- The economy relies on oil exports and tourism. The currency is the Omani Rial.
- Life in Oman balances modern amenities with traditional Gulf culture. Expats find
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates located in the Persian Gulf. It has a high GDP per capita and a growing economy focused on business, trade, tourism, and oil/gas exports. The population is around 4.8 million, with only 20% Emirati citizens and the rest expatriate workers. The government is a federation led by hereditary emir rulers, with each emirate having autonomy over local affairs. The economy has diversified beyond oil/gas but these remain important industries and the country possesses large energy reserves.
Australia presentation VPV Hanoi Vietnam 2013WendyAlParisy
This is presentation of Australian from our volunteers Amy, Jane, Clare and Issy. They worked with VPV Hanoi, Vietnam from Dec 2012 to Jan 2013. Thank you and enjoy!
The document discusses Salam, an Islamic financing contract where payment is made upfront for goods to be delivered later. It defines Salam, provides perspectives from Islamic law schools, and outlines conditions like precisely specifying the commodity, quality, quantity and delivery timeframe. Salam can finance farmers, traders and industrialists by providing upfront capital. Risks are transferred between buyer and seller, and parallel Salam contracts allow immediate resale of goods.
The flag of Ghana represents the nation's history and resources. The red symbolizes blood spilled in the fight for independence, gold represents Ghana's mineral wealth, and green stands for its rich vegetation. The black star signifies emancipation and unity against colonialism. Ghana exports commodities like gold, cocoa, diamonds, and timber. Its economy also depends on tourism and other services. Some of Ghana's fair trade products include cocoa beans from farmer-owned cooperatives.
The document provides an overview of key facts about countries, geography, climate, natural resources, religions, governments, and languages in the Middle East region. It lists 22 countries in the region and notes the total land area is over 8 million square miles, covering parts of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia. The geography is varied, containing mountains, deserts, seas, and climate ranges from hot/arid to temperate to cold. Major natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, and other minerals. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the predominant religions. Government structures include constitutional, parliamentary, and monarchies. Commonly spoken languages are Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, Turkic, and
Legal Framework of the Malaysian Financial SystemMahyuddin Khalid
This document discusses the legal framework of Islamic finance in Malaysia. It begins by outlining the primary sources of Islamic law - the Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas. It then examines how Islamic legal rulings and principles related to financial transactions have been derived through various methods of interpretation and jurisprudence. Finally, it provides an overview of the key Malaysian laws governing Islamic banking - the Islamic Banking Act of 1983 and Government Investment Act of 1983 - which established the regulatory framework for Islamic financial institutions.
The document provides information about the United Arab Emirates, including its national anthem, introduction, climate, demographics, holidays, history, government structure, economy focused on oil/gas, tourism, aviation, agriculture including dates, media/culture, and sports like camel racing. It also shares perspectives on the UAE through the eyes of Indians living in the country.
South Australia is the state located in the southern part of Australia. Its capital is Adelaide. It is the 4th largest of Australia's 8 states and territories. In South Australia, many people live underground in Coober Pedy to stay cool in the hot climate, as the area is located near the center of Australia. Another unique feature is Blue Lake in Mount Gambier, which has bright blue water that changes color and is located in a volcanic crater. South Australia also has its own flag depicting its history and symbols like the Piping Shrike bird and Hairy Nosed Wombat animal.
The document provides an overview of the geography of Oceania, including its varied physical features such as volcanic mountains, atolls, and lagoons that are home to unique wildlife. It then describes some of the key geographic regions of Australia, such as the Great Dividing Range, Western Plateau, Central Lowlands, and Outback. It also discusses the climate, rivers, reefs, and farming. The document concludes with descriptions of the types of islands found in Oceania and details about New Zealand's North and South Islands.
HBL was established in 1941 in Bombay and now has over 1466 branches in Pakistan and 112 overseas offices. It aims to offer Islamic financial products through integrity and good governance. It offers various financing products like Murabaha, Musharakah, Ijarah, and Sukuk. It also provides trade services like letters of credit and collections. HBL Islamic Banking ensures Shariah compliance and has financing options that adhere to Islamic principles for businesses, trade, and asset ownership.
The document provides information about three ancient Mesoamerican civilizations: the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. It discusses their locations, political structures, religions, accomplishments, and eventual declines. The Maya settled in what is now the Yucatan peninsula and had numerous independent city-states. They developed advanced calendars, mathematics, and hieroglyphic writing. Around 900 AD, many Maya abandoned their cities due to a severe drought. The Aztecs built the great city of Tenochtitlan in present-day Mexico and created an empire through conquest and tribute. They practiced human sacrifice on a large scale before being conquered by the Spanish in 1521. The Inca ruled a large empire from Cuzco
The document provides information on three ancient civilizations of the Americas: the Maya, Inca, and Aztec. It describes the location, dates, government structures, economies, religious practices, and achievements of each civilization. It also highlights some of their most important sites, including Chichen Itza for the Maya, Machu Picchu and Cuzco for the Inca, and Tenochtitlan for the Aztec. Each civilization had a polytheistic religion and built pyramid structures. The Maya made advances in mathematics, calendars, and writing. The Inca developed an extensive road network and record keeping system using knots. The Aztec ruled a large empire and demanded tribute from conquered peoples.
The document provides a detailed overview of the history and civilizations of ancient Mexico, beginning with the first humans who migrated from Asia around 40,000 years ago. It discusses the major pre-Columbian civilizations that arose including the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, and Aztec empires. The Maya are described in particular depth, highlighting their advanced mathematics, calendars, and city-states, before environmental challenges including deforestation led to the decline and abandonment of the classic Maya cities between 800-950 AD. The document also outlines the rise and fall of the powerful Aztec empire that dominated central Mexico prior to the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century.
The document provides information about three ancient civilizations in the Americas: the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. It describes their origins, locations, political structures, religions, and cultural achievements. It explains that the Maya inhabited Mesoamerica and built cities with temples and pyramids. The Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan in central Mexico and created an empire through conquest and tribute. They practiced human sacrifice and their religion centered on Huitzilopochtli. The Inca ruled from Cuzco in the Andes and built an extensive road network, stone temples without mortar, and had a sun god and belief in reincarnation. Spanish conquistadors ultimately defeated the Aztec and In
The document provides information about three ancient civilizations of the Americas: the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. It describes the locations and key features of each, including their governments, religions, and cultural achievements. It notes that the Maya inhabited Mesoamerica and built cities like Chichen Itza, the Aztecs dominated central Mexico with their capital of Tenochtitlan, and the Inca ruled an Andean empire with its capital at Cuzco. It explains some of the reasons for the decline of each civilization, such as drought for the Maya and disease/war for the Inca and Aztecs.
The document summarizes the key developments in the Neolithic period and the rise of civilization in ancient Sumeria. It describes how the Neolithic Revolution led to agriculture and more settled societies, which in turn led to the rise of the first cities like Uruk, Umma, and Lagesh in Mesopotamia. It then outlines the five characteristics of civilization - advanced cities, organized institutions, technology, specialized workers, and record keeping - and provides examples of how ancient Sumerian society exhibited each characteristic, such as formal governments, artisans, use of bronze tools and weapons, and the development of cuneiform writing.
Ancient Egypt developed one of the earliest civilizations along the Nile River valley due to the river's predictable flooding and irrigation. The pharaoh ruled as both political and religious leader, overseeing the construction of temples, laws, taxation, and organized labor. Egyptian society was highly stratified with the pharaoh and nobility at the top and farmers, artisans, and laborers at the bottom. Egyptians developed hieroglyphic writing, built massive pyramids and temples, and practiced mummification as part of their belief in an afterlife. Mathematics and astronomy were also important to ancient Egyptian civilization.
The Mayan civilization was located in Mesoamerica, primarily in the Yucatan Peninsula encompassing modern day Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. They had advanced societies with complex social hierarchies, prosperous trade networks, advanced mathematical and astronomical understanding, and magnificent architecture. However, overpopulation and environmental degradation from intensive agriculture is believed to have contributed to the decline of the classical Mayan civilization in the 9th century AD.
The Mayan civilization achieved many great accomplishments, including building monuments, temples, and pyramids. They developed one of the first written languages in Mesoamerica using hieroglyphics, and had sophisticated calendars. However, around 900 AD the Mayan civilization mysteriously collapsed, with many of their cities being abandoned. The exact reasons for the collapse are unknown, but theories include warfare, drought, climate change, and overpopulation placing stress on resources.
The Mayans were an advanced civilization in Mexico and Belize dating back to 1800 BCE. They had sophisticated architecture, agriculture, and many gods they worshipped through human sacrifice. The Mayans peaked around 250 AD with many city-states vying for power. While they had a developed calendar, writing system, and astronomical understanding, Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes conquered the Mayans in the 1500s, greatly reducing their population through warfare, disease, and slavery. Today around 6 million people can trace their descent from the Mayans and still practice aspects of the traditional culture.
The Pyramid of the Magician in Uxmal, Mexico is named after a legend about a magical dwarf who built it in a single night to prove his leadership abilities. Uxmal reached its peak population of 25,000 between 600-900 AD as one of the most important cities on the Yucatan Peninsula. It was abandoned around 950 AD, possibly due to social revolt. The well-preserved ruins at Uxmal provide information about the Maya civilization's temples, pyramids, ball game, calendar, and worship of the god Chac.
The Mayans had a polytheistic religion that centered around agriculture. They developed an accurate calendar and advanced achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. However, the Mayan civilization mysteriously declined around the 8th-9th century for reasons that remain unclear, including environmental disasters, disease, or drought.
The document summarizes four ancient American civilizations - the Olmecs, Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. It describes the key features of early civilizations, then provides details about the location, culture, social structure, religion, politics, achievements, and decline of each civilization. The Olmecs were the earliest in Mexico, while the Mayans and Aztecs were in Central America and the Incas' empire spanned much of western South America. All had advanced societies with complex social hierarchies, religion, and government.
Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in present-day Iraq, was the site of some of the earliest civilizations. The Sumerians established cities around 3500 BCE and developed irrigation systems, writing, mathematics, and metalworking. Later, the Akkadians and Babylonians ruled parts of Mesopotamia. King Hammurabi of Babylon unified the region in the 18th century BCE and established the famous Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known legal codes. Despite periods of unity, Mesopotamia saw rule by many different peoples and independent states over 3000 years, establishing it as the "Cradle of Civilization."
The Maya were an ancient civilization that lived in the Yucatan Peninsula from over 500 years. They had a complex writing system with over 800 symbols, and practiced human sacrifice in religious ceremonies. The Maya were skilled architects and artists, building pyramids and creating artwork. While common people wore simple cotton clothes, rulers wore elaborate outfits with jade and obsidian objects. Though the exact reasons are unknown, many theories suggest the Maya civilization declined due to disease, warfare, or environmental changes introduced by the Spanish conquest.
This document describes passages from the Book of Genesis and Job that reference large land animals. The Genesis passage describes God commanding the earth to bring forth living creatures according to their kinds on the sixth day of creation. The Job passage describes a large beast called Behemoth, noting its powerful hips, stomach muscles, tail like a cedar, thick thighs, bones like bronze beams and ribs like iron bars. The passage suggests Behemoth was one of the first creatures made by God.
The document provides background information on Mesopotamia. It describes Mesopotamia as the earliest civilization known as the "Cradle of Civilization", located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in present-day Iraq. It summarizes that the Sumerians who lived in southern Mesopotamia were the first to develop systems of writing, mathematics, wheeled vehicles, and metalworking. The document also briefly outlines the major peoples and empires that arose and fell in Mesopotamia over 3000 years, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians.
Here is a draft 3-5 minute informative speech on the Maya civilization:
Good morning everyone. Today I'm going to tell you about the fascinating ancient Maya civilization. The Maya existed from around 2500 BC to 900 AD, centered in Mesoamerica which is modern day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and parts of Honduras and El Salvador.
The Maya were very advanced for their time, with developments in mathematics, astronomy, and writing. They had a complex calendar and were able to track the movements of planets and stars with remarkable accuracy without telescopes. They developed a form of hieroglyphic writing and had a numeric system that included the concept of zero, which was not discovered in Europe until centuries later.
2. 40,000 b.c.40,000 b.c.
In 40,000 b.c. the ice ageIn 40,000 b.c. the ice age
was coming to the end ofwas coming to the end of
its almost 60,000 year,its almost 60,000 year,
reign. The ice age wouldreign. The ice age would
hang around for anotherhang around for another
almost 30,000 years butalmost 30,000 years but
just now was the Beringjust now was the Bering
Straight revealed by theStraight revealed by the
dropping sea levels.dropping sea levels.
Image source: www.gettingoutside.com/Image source: www.gettingoutside.com/
files/Serpentine-Hot-S...files/Serpentine-Hot-S...
3. 33,000 - 10,000 b.c.33,000 - 10,000 b.c.
During this timeDuring this time
humans first startedhumans first started
to walk across theto walk across the
Bering land bridge toBering land bridge to
the Americas.the Americas.
Image source:Image source:
capitalistliontamer.files.wordpress.com/capitalistliontamer.files.wordpress.com/
2010/.2010/.
4. The OlmecThe Olmec
The Olmec civilization startedThe Olmec civilization started
around 1500 b.c. and wentaround 1500 b.c. and went
until almost 400 b.c. Theuntil almost 400 b.c. The
rivers that the Olmec lived byrivers that the Olmec lived by
flooded each year depositingflooded each year depositing
fertile river soil that they usedfertile river soil that they used
for planting there crops. Thefor planting there crops. The
Olmec had two classes the eliteOlmec had two classes the elite
and the commoners.The eliteand the commoners.The elite
were the rulers and the priests.were the rulers and the priests.
The commoners were laborersThe commoners were laborers
they did the work around thethey did the work around the
Olmec empireOlmec empire
Image source: 0uterspace.wordpress.comImage source: 0uterspace.wordpress.com
5. Olmec religionOlmec religion
Olmec rulers were priest kingsOlmec rulers were priest kings
who came from the elitewho came from the elite
ranks. The priests and priestranks. The priests and priest
kings were some of the mostkings were some of the most
skilled and respected warriorsskilled and respected warriors
in the Olmec military. Thein the Olmec military. The
Olmec believed that the priestsOlmec believed that the priests
were protected by the gods inwere protected by the gods in
battle and thus could not bebattle and thus could not be
killed unless the gods werekilled unless the gods were
angry with them. To preventangry with them. To prevent
this from occurring theythis from occurring they
sacrificed captured enemies tosacrificed captured enemies to
appease their gods.appease their gods.
Image source: rllewellyn.netImage source: rllewellyn.net
6. Epi-OlmecEpi-Olmec
The Olmec mysteriously disappearedThe Olmec mysteriously disappeared
from all there cities between 400from all there cities between 400
and 350 b.c. Artifacts were thenand 350 b.c. Artifacts were then
found in another city some 330found in another city some 330
miles away called Tres Zapotes.miles away called Tres Zapotes.
Artifacts were found there veryArtifacts were found there very
similar to those of the Olmec.similar to those of the Olmec.
Historians believe that the OlmecHistorians believe that the Olmec
may have taken a major militarymay have taken a major military
loss and had to flee with the fewloss and had to flee with the few
citizens and soldiers that survivedcitizens and soldiers that survived
to another city. There they startedto another city. There they started
a new culture but kept some of thea new culture but kept some of the
same ways of making buildings.same ways of making buildings.
Image source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epi-Image source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epi-
Olmec_cultureOlmec_culture
7. The MayansThe Mayans
The Mayans began aroundThe Mayans began around
1800 b.c. with small1800 b.c. with small
farming villages. Some offarming villages. Some of
those villages could notthose villages could not
farm but had largefarm but had large
deposits of limestone thatdeposits of limestone that
the Mayans used to buildthe Mayans used to build
there buildings. The restthere buildings. The rest
of the villages farmedof the villages farmed
and provided food for theand provided food for the
mining villages.mining villages.
Image source: www.raingod.com/.../Image source: www.raingod.com/.../
images/HanGrottes01.jpgimages/HanGrottes01.jpg
8. 100 b.c. - 200 a.d.100 b.c. - 200 a.d.
In this time period the MayansIn this time period the Mayans
started to use their gatheredstarted to use their gathered
limestone to change their smalllimestone to change their small
villages into large andvillages into large and
impressive cities. Mayan citiesimpressive cities. Mayan cities
were usually centered aroundwere usually centered around
a temple. The Mayans built aa temple. The Mayans built a
pyramid surrounded by openpyramid surrounded by open
plazas with a pyramid at theplazas with a pyramid at the
top. The Mayan priest kingstop. The Mayan priest kings
climbed these pyramids toclimbed these pyramids to
perform religious ceremonies.perform religious ceremonies.
Image source: frogview.comImage source: frogview.com
9. Mayan AgricultureMayan Agriculture
The Mayan population was growing so theThe Mayan population was growing so the
demand for food did as well. To copedemand for food did as well. To cope
farmers devised ways to farm landfarmers devised ways to farm land
that before was useless. In thethat before was useless. In the
lowlands where the Mayans minedlowlands where the Mayans mined
limestone they now also farmed bylimestone they now also farmed by
bringing soil from the bottom of riversbringing soil from the bottom of rivers
and spreading it over rocky groundand spreading it over rocky ground
and by digging channels through toand by digging channels through to
rivers they dealt with crops dieingrivers they dealt with crops dieing
from lack of water. In the highlandsfrom lack of water. In the highlands
they used terraces to prevent soil fromthey used terraces to prevent soil from
sliding down hill. When thissliding down hill. When this
happened the Mayans started to havehappened the Mayans started to have
a surplus of food and they traded thea surplus of food and they traded the
extra with other civilizations for jadeextra with other civilizations for jade
and cacao beans.and cacao beans.
Image source: pruned.blogspot.comImage source: pruned.blogspot.com
10. Mayan ReligionMayan Religion
Like the Olmec the Mayans hadLike the Olmec the Mayans had
Priest-Kings and priests. TheyPriest-Kings and priests. They
were warriors and usually led thewere warriors and usually led the
Mayan army into battle. TheMayan army into battle. The
priests and Priest-Kings werepriests and Priest-Kings were
sometimes killed in battle butsometimes killed in battle but
their army always won the fight.their army always won the fight.
when the Priests died theywhen the Priests died they
received the best burials possible.received the best burials possible.
The Mayans sacrifices were moreThe Mayans sacrifices were more
specific than the Olmec. Thespecific than the Olmec. The
Mayans only sacrificed capturedMayans only sacrificed captured
enemy soldiers, virgins, or theenemy soldiers, virgins, or the
Priest-Kings blood. The MayansPriest-Kings blood. The Mayans
instead of cutting the throat of ainstead of cutting the throat of a
sacrifice they threw the sacrificesacrifice they threw the sacrifice
into a pit filled with thousands ofinto a pit filled with thousands of
gallons of water with sides thatgallons of water with sides that
stretched almost 40 feet above thestretched almost 40 feet above the
water level.water level.
image source: facstaff.gpc.eduimage source: facstaff.gpc.edu
11. Tiwanakans and the MocheTiwanakans and the Moche
The Tiwanakans were a raceThe Tiwanakans were a race
that appeared in 300 b.c.that appeared in 300 b.c.
and that continued toand that continued to
prosper until almost a.d.prosper until almost a.d.
1200. At it’s height the1200. At it’s height the
Tiwanakans owned 1,500Tiwanakans owned 1,500
square miles from Peru tosquare miles from Peru to
Bolivia. About 400 yearsBolivia. About 400 years
after the Tiwanakansafter the Tiwanakans
developed anotherdeveloped another
culture the Moche cameculture the Moche came
into being.into being.
Image source: www.reedboat.org/Image source: www.reedboat.org/
Tiwanaku/tiwanaku1.jpgTiwanaku/tiwanaku1.jpg
12. Different EnvironmentsDifferent Environments
The Tiwanakans lived in highThe Tiwanakans lived in high
mountains where there wasmountains where there was
little rain and the only sourceslittle rain and the only sources
of water were lakes so theof water were lakes so the
Tiwanakans dug irrigationTiwanakans dug irrigation
channels and took soil fromchannels and took soil from
the lake bed to spread overthe lake bed to spread over
inhospitable land that wouldinhospitable land that would
not grow crops. The Moche onnot grow crops. The Moche on
the other hand lived in a placethe other hand lived in a place
were the land was dry andwere the land was dry and
needed water. Using mud theneeded water. Using mud the
Moche built hundreds of milesMoche built hundreds of miles
of aqueducts and used terraceof aqueducts and used terrace
farming on the hillsides.farming on the hillsides.
Image source: worldreligion.nielsonpi.com/Image source: worldreligion.nielsonpi.com/
media/moche.jpgmedia/moche.jpg
13. Social Structures and ReligionSocial Structures and Religion
The Tiwanakans had an elite and aThe Tiwanakans had an elite and a
commoner class. The Tiwanakanscommoner class. The Tiwanakans
worshipped the condor.worshipped the condor.
Tiwanakan leaders wereTiwanakan leaders were
worshipped as gods and oftenworshipped as gods and often
fought alone when greatlyfought alone when greatly
outnumbered by the enemy. Theoutnumbered by the enemy. The
Moche social structure was aboutMoche social structure was about
the same. The religion of thethe same. The religion of the
Moche was very different though.Moche was very different though.
The Moche worshipped manyThe Moche worshipped many
different gods and made sacrificesdifferent gods and made sacrifices
unlike the Tiwanakans. Theunlike the Tiwanakans. The
Moche abandoned their cities inMoche abandoned their cities in
600 and six hundred years later600 and six hundred years later
the Tiwanakans would do thethe Tiwanakans would do the
same.same.
Image source: www.instablogsimages.com/Image source: www.instablogsimages.com/
images/2008/12/19/an.images/2008/12/19/an.
14. The AztecThe Aztec
The Aztec were a band of hunter-The Aztec were a band of hunter-
gatherers living on an island ingatherers living on an island in
northwestern Mexico. Aroundnorthwestern Mexico. Around
1100 they received a command1100 they received a command
from their god that they mustfrom their god that they must
move until they find an eaglemove until they find an eagle
sitting on a cactus eating a snake.sitting on a cactus eating a snake.
The Aztec wandered for almostThe Aztec wandered for almost
200 years until they found the200 years until they found the
sign. During this period theysign. During this period they
passed through many landspassed through many lands
controlled by other tribes thatcontrolled by other tribes that
would not let them settle there.would not let them settle there.
The Aztec finally found theirThe Aztec finally found their
home by lake Texcoco in thehome by lake Texcoco in the
valley of Mexico. They namedvalley of Mexico. They named
their new city Tenochitlan.their new city Tenochitlan.
farm1.static.flickr.com/ 213/476281191_487c3c1farm1.static.flickr.com/ 213/476281191_487c3c1
15. Aztec FarmingAztec Farming
The Aztec could not farmThe Aztec could not farm
their wet swampy land sotheir wet swampy land so
they constructedthey constructed
chinampas or floatingchinampas or floating
gardens that were thingardens that were thin
strips of land about 300strips of land about 300
feet by 30 feet. The Aztecfeet by 30 feet. The Aztec
were able to plant cornwere able to plant corn
and squash here andand squash here and
gather from the crops bygather from the crops by
boat. The Aztec tradedboat. The Aztec traded
with other tribes forwith other tribes for
lumber and stone.lumber and stone.
Image source:Image source:
img1.photographersdirect.com/.img1.photographersdirect.com/.
../wm/pd932021.jpg../wm/pd932021.jpg
16. The Aztec EmpireThe Aztec Empire
The Aztec formed a mightyThe Aztec formed a mighty
empire by conqueringempire by conquering
other tribes around themother tribes around them
and forcing them to growand forcing them to grow
food and give wood andfood and give wood and
metal to the Aztec warmetal to the Aztec war
effort. So much waseffort. So much was
demanded of conquereddemanded of conquered
tribes and Aztectribes and Aztec
commoners. That somecommoners. That some
began to starve whichbegan to starve which
created resentmentcreated resentment
among the tribes.among the tribes.
Image source: www.batuhijauschool.org/.../Image source: www.batuhijauschool.org/.../
aztek1.jpgaztek1.jpg
17. Aztec ArmyAztec Army
The Aztec army was made up of
multiple different kinds of warriors.
They had archers swordsmen and spear
woman. Archers usually carried their
bows and slings used for throwing
rocks. The swordsman carried swords
and sometimes daggers or shields.
Spear woman were thought of as almost
mythical warriors for the Aztec. They
carried 5 foot long spears used for
thrusting that had a slim smooth tip.
They also carried shorter heavier spears
for throwing with barbed tips which
prevented the enemy from removing
them from their comrades to throw them
back. Spear woman carried strong
round shields covered with spikes for
bashing. If they lost their spears then
they would resort using their short
swords called moon daggers. They
usually came into battle with a black
jaguar by their side.
Image 2 source:zazzle.com.au image 3
source:myspace.com image 1
source:homepage.ntlworld.com
18. Aztec ReligionAztec Religion
The Aztec religionThe Aztec religion
worshipped over 1000worshipped over 1000
gods especially the god ofgods especially the god of
war and the sun and thewar and the sun and the
god of rain. Theygod of rain. They
performed humanperformed human
sacrifices to appease theirsacrifices to appease their
gods some believe thatgods some believe that
the Aztec started warsthe Aztec started wars
just to capture enemyjust to capture enemy
soldiers for sacrifices.soldiers for sacrifices.
image source:travelersdigest.comimage source:travelersdigest.com
19. The IncaThe Inca
Very few dates areVery few dates are
known of the Incaknown of the Inca
because they had nobecause they had no
writing system. Thewriting system. The
only date we reallyonly date we really
know about is whenknow about is when
their empire came totheir empire came to
its height in 1525.its height in 1525.
Image source:Image source:
www.infinitepossibilityproductions.com/www.infinitepossibilityproductions.com/
advent...advent...
20. How The Inca Conquered a RegionHow The Inca Conquered a Region
The Inca ruler first sent scouts to the targetedThe Inca ruler first sent scouts to the targeted
region. The scouts judged the regionsregion. The scouts judged the regions
fertility, the strength of it’s armies, it’sfertility, the strength of it’s armies, it’s
defenses, and memorize it’s geography.defenses, and memorize it’s geography.
The scouts returned and the king gatheredThe scouts returned and the king gathered
his army according to the report from hishis army according to the report from his
scouts. Before attacking the Inca ruler sentscouts. Before attacking the Inca ruler sent
ambassadors to the region to persuade theambassadors to the region to persuade the
tribes to become part of the empiretribes to become part of the empire
peacefully. Usually the tribes refused andpeacefully. Usually the tribes refused and
then the massive Inca armies attacked. Thethen the massive Inca armies attacked. The
Inca made members of conquered tribesInca made members of conquered tribes
join their armies. New soldiers that didjoin their armies. New soldiers that did
well were given rewards like picks from thewell were given rewards like picks from the
spoils of new conquests. If conquered tribesspoils of new conquests. If conquered tribes
were peaceful then their leaders werewere peaceful then their leaders were
allowed to stay in power. All tribes wereallowed to stay in power. All tribes were
forced to learn Quechua, the Incanforced to learn Quechua, the Incan
language.language.
image source:lastdaysoftheincas.comimage source:lastdaysoftheincas.com
21. Inca Social StructuresInca Social Structures
The Inca had commoners andThe Inca had commoners and
nobility. The commonersnobility. The commoners
had to pay tribute to thehad to pay tribute to the
nobility and worked to makenobility and worked to make
roads that made trade androads that made trade and
moving the armies of themoving the armies of the
Inca much faster. The IncaInca much faster. The Inca
government even decidedgovernment even decided
who married who in thewho married who in the
empire. Marriage wasempire. Marriage was
encouraged since onlyencouraged since only
couples could own land andcouples could own land and
thus give tribute.thus give tribute.
Image source: i26.photobucket.com/Image source: i26.photobucket.com/
albums/c124/guspav/aztec2..albums/c124/guspav/aztec2..
22. Inca FarmingInca Farming
The Inca used differentThe Inca used different
farming methodsfarming methods
according to the elevationaccording to the elevation
they were at. In thethey were at. In the
highlands they usedhighlands they used
terrace farming andterrace farming and
irrigation channels. Inirrigation channels. In
the lowlands they grewthe lowlands they grew
crops on just the soil thatcrops on just the soil that
was there. This waswas there. This was
called a vertical economy.called a vertical economy.
Image source:Image source: ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/.ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/.
../images/pl71.jpg../images/pl71.jpg
23. Inca religionInca religion
The Inca priestsThe Inca priests
performed allperformed all
ceremonies most ofceremonies most of
which were animalwhich were animal
sacrifices. Only insacrifices. Only in
times of flood ortimes of flood or
famine would thefamine would the
Inca sacrifice humans.Inca sacrifice humans.
Image source: filer.livinginperu.com/Image source: filer.livinginperu.com/
isabel2/yale_cuchillo.jpgisabel2/yale_cuchillo.jpg
24. The Arrival of the SpanishThe Arrival of the Spanish
In 1519 Hernando Cortez fired hisIn 1519 Hernando Cortez fired his
cannons at the Aztec. In 1532cannons at the Aztec. In 1532
thirteen years later Franciscothirteen years later Francisco
Pizzaro did the same to thePizzaro did the same to the
Inca. Cortez came to theInca. Cortez came to the
shores of Aztec territory withshores of Aztec territory with
550 men, 16 horses, 14550 men, 16 horses, 14
cannons, and three dogs.Theycannons, and three dogs.They
fired their cannons at Aztecfired their cannons at Aztec
messengers and caused themmessengers and caused them
to flee. When they told theirto flee. When they told their
leader about this he wasleader about this he was
stricken with fearstricken with fear..
Image source: lastdaysoftheincas.com/Image source: lastdaysoftheincas.com/
wordpress/wp-content/uwordpress/wp-content/u
25. Aztec ProblemsAztec Problems
When the Spanish arrived theWhen the Spanish arrived the
Aztec were fighting multipleAztec were fighting multiple
wars with rebelling subjectwars with rebelling subject
tribes. The Aztec leadertribes. The Aztec leader
belived that Cortes was a godbelived that Cortes was a god
come back to reclaim his city.come back to reclaim his city.
He found out how wrong heHe found out how wrong he
was when he was takenwas when he was taken
hostage. The Spanish heldhostage. The Spanish held
him captive until an Aztechim captive until an Aztec
rebellion killed him and droverebellion killed him and drove
the Spanish out. The Spanishthe Spanish out. The Spanish
lost most of their men in thelost most of their men in the
rebellion but joined the waringrebellion but joined the waring
subject tribes together andsubject tribes together and
destroyed the Aztec.destroyed the Aztec.
Image source: www.spvocation.org/.../Image source: www.spvocation.org/.../
FOTM/conquistadors.jpgFOTM/conquistadors.jpg
26. Conquest of the IncaConquest of the Inca
The Inca were in a civil war becauseThe Inca were in a civil war because
the ruler had died and his sonsthe ruler had died and his sons
were fighting over the throne.were fighting over the throne.
The son Atahualpa finally becameThe son Atahualpa finally became
the ruler of a greatly weakenedthe ruler of a greatly weakened
empire. When the Spanish led byempire. When the Spanish led by
Pizzaro attacked he was capturedPizzaro attacked he was captured
and killed very quickly. The lastand killed very quickly. The last
king of the Inca Manco Inca leadking of the Inca Manco Inca lead
an army of 200,000 soldiersan army of 200,000 soldiers
against the spanish but it failedagainst the spanish but it failed
because so many resources hadbecause so many resources had
been used up in the civil war. Thebeen used up in the civil war. The
Inca retreated into the mountainsInca retreated into the mountains
until they were finally defeated inuntil they were finally defeated in
1572.1572.
Image source: www eng/inca/images/Inca-Image source: www eng/inca/images/Inca-
Sp..infoperu.com/peru/Sp..infoperu.com/peru/