Geographic Features

Patten & ValdnerGlobal History II

Mepham High School

Geographic Features in a nation or region

• Explanation of how each factor has influenced historical developments and historical events of nations and regions

Sahara Desert in Africa• Served as a barrier (harsh terrain

limited travel), but did allow trade• Promoted cultural diversity• Made it difficult to unify• Promoted tribalism and

regionalism• Desertification is taking place

today

Himalaya Mountains in China

• Served as a barrier• Isolated China from the rest of the

world• Protected China• Promoted ethnocentrism and

development of single culture “Middle Kingdom”

Monsoons in India• Heavy winds that bring rain 2x per

year• Natives depend on monsoons for

their crops • Too much rain = destroys crops =

famine• Too little rain = drought = famine

Island Location of Japan• Isolated Japan from the rest of the

world• Protected Japan• Promoted ethnocentrism &

development of a single culture • Respect for nature - depends on

sea for food

Natural Resources in Japan • Japan lacks natural resources • Promoted imperialism to gain raw

materials (Manchuria 1931)• Developed industrial economy

because lack of land for farming (permitted only some terrace farming)

Nile River in Egypt• Provided fertile soil for farming• Used for transportation & trade• Home of ancient civilization (river

valley)

Irregular Coastline of Great Britain

• Natural harbors and ports• Excellent for trade• Industrial Revolution began in

Britain

Size & Climate of Russia• Nation is huge & extremely cold (little

arable land)• Reason for defeat of Napoleon & Hitler• Promoted Peter & Catherine the Great

to seek warm-water port on the Black Sea (so they could trade all year)

• Poor farming