Question

Using complete sentences, explain how proximity to major rivers influenced the location of early cities.

The answer is: Rivers encouraged development by providing services and resources to cities through convenient travel, trade, agriculture, and accessibility. One of the earliest reasons people were drawn to cities was their service to agriculture. City systems included systems of irrigation. These systems included canals and other devices used to limit, store, and move water. The ability to build these structures encouraged humans to settle in one place rather than carry on a nomadic lifestyle. The city’s location along early rivers encouraged better agriculture, which in turn encouraged stronger cities.

Cities also developed and grew because they served as effective centers for trade activities. They were places to store goods safely, to buy and sell, and to plan out new trade. Early governments also benefited from river locations. Locations along rivers meant faster travel upstream and downstream to rule territories. The city became the place where the ruler or rulers lived together in a stationary spot. The city’s location along early rivers encouraged stronger government, which in turn encouraged stronger cities. Because early civilizations almost always settled near rivers, they developed a religious dedication to the annual benefits provided by floods. Cities then built temples and religious complexes dedicated to these beliefs. Development encouraged residents to cluster their homes near these sites.

Answer 1

Amazon and Mississippi

Answer 2

Rivers played an important role in ancient times.

They were one of the major factors for establishing civilizations on the banks of the river.

They not only provided water for irrigation, drinking and other purposes but were also the major transportation routes that encouraged movements of trade and commerce from one place to another and developed the economy.

This encouraged the civilizations to grow and flourish around the river.