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Mesopotamia was an ancient civilization. It was located on the continent of Asia in the current country of Iraq. The word "Mesopotamia" means land between two rivers. The people lived between the Euphrates River and the Tigris River. You can see them on the map. The people also had access to other bodies of water for trade with other civilizations. Three important seas were the: Mediterranean, Red, and Arabian.
Mesopotamia was an ancient civilization. It was located on the continent of Asia in the current country of Iraq. The word "Mesopotamia" means land between two rivers. The people lived between the Euphrates River and the Tigris River. You can see them on the map. The people also had access to other bodies of water for trade with other civilizations. Three important seas were the: Mediterranean, Red, and Arabian.
Today, many people call this area the Middle East. People mainly lived in the green shaded regions because land there was fertile which means good for growing. This is also where the rivers were located. Early people had to live by fresh water to survive. It was also important because the climate in Mesopotamia was hot and dry. This area is called a desert region and is hot and dry year round.
Today, many people call this area the Middle East. People mainly lived in the green shaded regions because land there was fertile which means good for growing. This is also where the rivers were located. Early people had to live by fresh water to survive. It was also important because the climate in Mesopotamia was hot and dry. This area is called a desert region and is hot and dry year round.
Every year the two rivers would flood. The flood would deposit silt along the banks of the rivers after they flooded. Silt makes the land or soil very rich and fertile. Fertile means good for farming or good for growing. This silt made farming possible in this region that was usually hot & dry.
Every year the two rivers would flood. The flood would deposit silt along the banks of the rivers after they flooded. Silt makes the land or soil very rich and fertile. Fertile means good for farming or good for growing. This silt made farming possible in this region that was usually hot & dry.
Living by the two rivers provided fresh water, fertile soil, and a way to travel and trade. The annual flooding of the rivers also provided much needed rain and silt. However, a flood can destroy property and ruin crops. Therefore, farmers learned to control the annual flooding so they did not destroy houses or food. They built irrigation systems. Irrigate means to water. By building irrigation systems they were able to have a surplus of food. They used levees, canals, gated ditches, and lakes to control the water. They were able to keep their crops watered even during a drought. A drought is a long period of time without rain. When people move water to help grow crops it is called irrigation.
Living by the two rivers provided fresh water, fertile soil, and a way to travel and trade. The annual flooding of the rivers also provided much needed rain and silt. However, a flood can destroy property and ruin crops. Therefore, farmers learned to control the annual flooding so they did not destroy houses or food. They built irrigation systems. Irrigate means to water. By building irrigation systems they were able to have a surplus of food. They used levees, canals, gated ditches, and lakes to control the water. They were able to keep their crops watered even during a drought. A drought is a long period of time without rain. When people move water to help grow crops it is called irrigation.
Most people made a living by farming so there was enough food. The farmers grew many crops; including wheat, barley, lettuce, beans, cucumbers, date and fruit trees. They also domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, and cows. To domesticate an animal means to tame it to be used for food or work. These animals gave them a supply of milk, meat. and hides.
Most people made a living by farming so there was enough food. The farmers grew many crops; including wheat, barley, lettuce, beans, cucumbers, date and fruit trees. They also domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, and cows. To domesticate an animal means to tame it to be used for food or work. These animals gave them a supply of milk, meat. and hides.
Remember, irrigation means to water. The climate is hot & dry in Mesopotamia so they relied on the flooding of the rivers to water their crops. The video below shows how they controlled the TWO rivers and watered their crops in Mesopotamia. The people in Mesopotamia were able to adapt to the desert climate by building irrigation systems to plant crops and have a surplus of food.
Remember, irrigation means to water. The climate is hot & dry in Mesopotamia so they relied on the flooding of the rivers to water their crops. The video below shows how they controlled the TWO rivers and watered their crops in Mesopotamia. The people in Mesopotamia were able to adapt to the desert climate by building irrigation systems to plant crops and have a surplus of food.
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