Mesopotamia's unique geography shaped its culture. Located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, it had a warm climate, fertile soil deposited by seasonal floods, and access to water, allowing civilization to emerge. Though it lacked other resources, Mesopotamians developed irrigation systems and centralized governments to cope, trading surplus crops. Their adaptations to geographic constraints laid the foundations for modern advances in overcoming resource scarcity.

1. Geography of Mesopotamia What are the necessary geographic characteristics to sustain life? Why did civilization originate in Mesopotamia? How did Mesopotamia’s unique geography shape its culture?

2. 3 things all early peoples need to survive Warm Climate Source of water Fertile Soil

3. Case Study: Geography of Sumer Warm year round Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (ample water)‏ Fertile soil thanks to silt from the rivers

4. What’s so special about rivers? Melting snow and mountain rain swelled rivers, carrying soil to plains Overflow into floodplain – flat land bordering banks Deposited fine soil, or silt , making land fertile and good for crops In a semiarid climate (with less than 10 inches of annual rainfall) rivers were essential for crops and drinking water

5. Natural Resources in Mesopotamia

6. What other resources did Mesopotamians have? Not many... Few trees for wood Little rainfall But you don't need many resources if you have the 3 basic needs Warm Climate Fertile Soil Source of water

7. How did Mesopotamians cope with lack of resources? Mesopotamians traded their surplus grain for stone, wood, and metal Surplus means more than they need for themselves

8. How did Mesopotamians cope with lack of resources? Mud houses Lacked building materials- used mud bricks The building below is a ziggurat- a religious temple that served as the center for Mesopotamian culture

9. How did Mesopotamians cope with lack of resources? Lacked natural barriers Built walls around city-states for protection Ensured they had smaller settlements called city-states

10. Advancements from Lack Irrigation systems were developed to deal with little rainfall in the area Irrigation systems are systems of canals which bring water from rivers to crops

11. Advancements from Lack Resources were scarce so central organization was needed to ensure people worked together Mesopotamia laid the groundwork for governments Hammurabi's Code was the first code of law

12. Presentation Summary The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers made the soil of Mesopotamia good for growing crops. Mesopotamia had few resources. They used what they had available to them and traded surplus crops to get other things they needed. From their lack of resources came advancements, like irrigation and government.

13. Why it Matters Now Mesopotamians had to overcome a lack of resources and adapt to their physical environment. Today people still work to overcome shortages of food, water and resources. Example: Jordan River

14. Link to Modern Geography