Geography Thematic Essay Outlines Theme: Geography (Mountains, Rivers, Deserts, Plains, Climate, natural resources, etc.) Task: Select two geographic factors and for each 1. Explain how the geographic factor affected the development of a specific nation/region. 2. Discuss how that geographic factor promoted or hindered cultural diffusion. Some choices you could write about include: The Nile River in Ancient Egypt: Andes Mountains in the Inca Empire 1. The River provided fresh water, fertile soil for farming, a means for transportation/trade with other regions, and allowed for the development of irrigation systems (moving water from one place to another). 2. The Egyptians used the river to transport materials needed to build pyramids and soldiers to protect civilization. 3. The Egyptians developed a 365 day calendar based on the annual flooding of the Nile. 4. Cultural diffusion with other civilizations along the Nile was promoted as a result of travel/trade further south on the Nile. 1. Andes Mountains (present day Peru) acted as a natural barrier protecting the Inca from invasions from foreign enemies. 2. The Incan government adapted to the mountain range by building an extensive (large) road system and bridges connecting their empire in the mountains. – Roads and bridges allowed the spread of ideas and movement of troops to protect empire. 3. Incan farmers adapted to the Andes by farming on terraces (steppes) in the hillsides which increased agricultural production. (terrace farming) 4. While the mountains protected the empire, the road system promoted cultural diffusion throughout the Andes Mountain region. Harsh Winter Climate in Russia Natural Resources (Coal and Iron) in Great Britain 1. For much of Russian history, harsh winter weather prevented Russia from trading during the Winter months because water routes on the Baltic Sea in the North would freeze. This hindered cultural diffusion/trade with Western Europe. 2. Russian Czars (Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, etc.) looked to expand the Russian empire to gain warm-­‐water ports on the Black Sea to trade year round. 3. The Harsh winters acted as a natural barrier protecting Russia during invasions. Napoleon (1812) of France and Hitler (1941-­‐
1943) of Germany attempted to invade Russia but were turned back due to the harsh conditions leading to their downfalls. 4. Stalin used harsh winter climates in Siberia as prison camps/gulags for political prisoners. 1. An abundance (large amounts) of natural resources, such as coal and iron, would be necessary to allow the Industrial Revolution to start in Great Britain in the 1700s and 1800s. Coal used to create steam to power new machines, iron would be used to build machines, ships, locomotives. 2. The new machines led to a mass production of goods in the factory system, urbanization (people moving to cities), and created wealth for Great Britain business owners. Also led to problems in factories (poor working conditions, child labor, etc.) 3. The effective use of coal and iron by the British promoted cultural diffusion as transportation systems would increase allowing global trade and eventually leading to British th
imperialism in the late 19 Century. Directions: In space below (and on back), choose ONE of the geographic features above and write a paragraph addressing the task: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________