Download Chapter 3 - Lesson 1 "Geography of Mesopotamia" p. 82 -86

Name____________________________________________ Period ___________ Date _______________
Chapter 3 - Lesson 1 "Geography of Mesopotamia" p. 82 -86
MAIN IDEAS
• Geography – The land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers was a good region for
agriculture.
• Geography – The environment of Mesopotamia presented several challenges to the
people who lived there.
• Geography – Mesopotamians changed their environment to improve life.
WORD
Definition
Picture / other
representation
Mesopotamia
flood plain
silt
semiarid
drought
surplus
Build on what you know (p. 83)
1. When could a flood have a good consequence?
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Name____________________________________________ Period ___________ Date _______________
The Land Between Two Rivers (p. 83-86)
As you read this section, take notes based on the information stated in the chart. These will
be the start of a note taking style called “Cornell Notes.” The big idea / concept will be in the
LEFT hand column and the details and responses to the big idea / concept will be in the
RIGHT hand column.
2. What are the two main rivers that are
important in Mesopotamia?
3. There are two terms used when
describing a river, the source and
the mouth. The source is where a river
starts / begins. The mouth is where a
river ends / empties into a larger body of
water.
The source of the river is
Rivers flow through
The mouth of the river is
4. Why is the region where the two rivers
flowed called Mesopotamia? What is
the area like geography wise?
Vegetation wise?
Why:
Geography:
Vegetation:
5. Explain why rivers were so important to the
people of Mesopotamia? What did the
rivers provide / allow the people to do?
6. Why was fertile soil important in
Mesopotamia?
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Name____________________________________________ Period ___________ Date _______________
7. Describe the climate of Mesopotamia and
how it affected the people who lived there.
8. What made Mesopotamia a good region
for farming?
Controlling Water by Irrigation (p.84)
9. How did floods affect farmers?
10. How did droughts affect farmers?
11. How did Mesopotamians water their
crops during droughts?
Finding Resources (p.85-86)
12. Since the people of Mesopotamia did not
have wood, stone and metal to build
houses with, what did they use? How
did they solve this problem?
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Name____________________________________________ Period ___________ Date _______________
13. Why was Mesopotamia so easy to
invade?
14. How did they protect themselves / their
villages?
15. How were Mesopotamians able to get
the resources they needed?
16. Why was trade important in
Mesopotamia?
Lesson Summary (p.86)
• The Tigris and Euphrates rivers made the soil of Mesopotamia good for growing crops.
• The people of Mesopotamia developed an irrigation system to bring water to crops.
• Mesopotamia had few resources. People traded surplus crops to get what they needed.
Why it matters now (p.86)
The Mesopotamians had to overcome a lack of resources. Today people still work to solve
shortages of water, food and resources.
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