Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Aakash Mansukhani Thematic Essay: River Valleys 2.22.08 Global 2 Honors, Ms.

Kingham

River valleys are a distinct part of history and the lives of many people. Egypt, China and India are some of the many countries that consist of river valleys. In scientific terms, a river valley is a valley that is formed by flowing water that usually makes a V- shape. River valleys have historically and geographically affected many countries, regions, and nations. They have bought prosperity as well as depression. Egypt and China, are two of the many regions that the river valleys have deeply affected.

In the past, Egypt used to be a historical region with towns, markets, and monuments scattered all over the dessert. Pharos ruled and mummies were buried inside pyramids. The best geographical feature of Egypt was the river valley that included the Nile River. The Nile River was a great source of water and food for farmers and peasants all across Egypt. The Nile flooded every now and then over its banks. As the water deposited, it left behind a rich deposit of fertile black mud. The farmers used this mud to help in the growth and development of their crops. These peasants would fasten their cattle to plows and prepare their fields for planting. The fertile black mud/soil was occasionally used in the fall and winter seasons. Wheat and barely were some of the many plants that peasants grew during these two seasons. This planting developed into the rise of irrigation ditches. Irrigation ditches were ditches that supplied dry land with water artificially. Lastly came the welcome harvest. This cycle repeated itself year after year bringing prosperity tp With the harvests and crops growing frequently, the Egyptians renamed their prospered region the gift of the nile. The Nile was a prominent river that was used for trade and cultural diffusion as well. However, the Nile River did have its ups and downs. Even though the Nile brought fertile soil to the people of Egypt, there were many dangerous cautions that Egyptians

had to take. Sometimes, if the Niles floodwaters were a few feet lower than normal, the amount of fertile soil and mud was decreased. Because of this problem thousands of people starved and famine occurred. If the river was higher than usual, the water would spread to the towns and villages nearby. The surprised water destroyed homes, shops and villages causing mass destruction.

Currently, the Nile River runs through Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Congo, Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Presently, it is said, to be the longest river in the world. The Nile has two main tributaries: White Nile and Blue Nile. The White Nile is known mostly for its appearance in Rwanda. Most of the natural resources that Rwanda needs comes from this particular tributary. The Blue Nile, however, is a tributary that most Ethiopians favor. It runs from Lake Tana to Ethiopia. The Nile Proper is formed when both tributaries merge with one another. The Nile River has had a lot to do with politics in Africa. One issue in the politics of The Nile River is the abundant use of resources by Egyptians. Many African countries have complained that Egypt is dominating the use of water from the Nile. The countries fear that the Egyptian domination of the water will cause numerous economic problems for the continent. Usually, the Nile floods every summer depositing silt over many banks and plains. This silt is frequently used for farming by the common people. The Nile is also used as a canal for transporting goods.

There are many historical developments of the Nile that has made it one of the most popular rivers in the world. One historical event was the expedition of the White Nile tributary. This was led by acknowledged South African national Hendri Coetzee. The purpose of the expedition was to navigate the Niles actual length and size. The expedition started at Uganda on January 17, 2004 and ended Four months and two weeks later. The expedition was a success. Next, on April 28, 2004 many geologists started to navigate the Blue Nile. Two of the many geologists survived the initial journey. Both of these expeditions helped the people of Africa realize the true hidden powers of the Nile. They used the Nile more carefully and resourcefully according to their needs. May more discoveries and expeditions followed. These expeditions discovered true facts and impressive discoveries of The Nile River.

China is another region/country that is and was effected by river valleys. Back when civilizations existed, river valleys was a main aspect in the lives of the people of China. In the past, natural barriers isolated China from the other civilizations. The Pacific Ocean resided in the east, the Taklimakan desert in the west, the Himalaya Mountains in the south and in the north lay the Gobi Desert. Between all of these landforms flew two major rivers. They were the Huang He and the Yangtze. Chinas geography explains why settlements of people developed along these river valleys. First, mountains and deserts covered about two thirds of Chinas land. About ninety percent of the remaining land that was suitable for farming lied between the two rivers. This plain was Chinas only heartland. The Chinese civilization, similar to the other civilizations, farmed with silt. The Huang He or yellow river deposited a immense amount of dusty yellow silt when its banks overflowed. This silt by the people of China was named loess. Like many other rivers, The Huang He had floods that were dangerous as well as resourceful. Many floods destroyed homes and villages and others bought more silt so that farmers could grow crops for money. After the crops grew, merchants would sell them to make a living. Later on in Chinese history, the people of China named the Huang He river both Chinas pride and Chinas sorrow

Currently, the river valley of China that consists of the Huang He river has gone through some changes. The river still deposits excessive amounts of loess. This type of silt gives the Huang He river its color. The river deposits over 1.6 billion silt . Because of this silt, China has named this river Chinas pride. However, the Yellow river has caused some of the highest death tolls in world history by means of its flooding. The tolls go up to about four million people. This is the reason why China has also given this river the name Chinas Sorrow. Sometimes, presently, the Huang He river changes its course. This action makes it unpredictable of when the river is going to flood. The geography of the river is quite hard to follow. The river has three reaches: The upper reach, The middle reach and The lower reach. The entire river flows through the mouth of the Gulf of Bohai creating a southward bend. Presently, the river has many tributaries. This river also has lots of hydroelectric potential which helps the people of China in villages power their electricity.

As you can see, both river valleys help each of their regions one way or another. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The Nile river helps Egypt by providing silt for farming and many other natural resources. Its historical significance has made it a favorite with the Egyptians. Many irrigation advances have also occurred with the advancement of the Nile. The Nile is still significantly being used as a transportation canal for trades and goods. The Huang He river has also had many historical developments upon China. The loess was and is still proved to be the number one silt used for farming in China. The yellow rivers natural resources are very abundant. Most of the suitable farmland lies along this river. People have said that during World War II, the most creative use of the river had taken place. Chinese troops broke the river in order to flood a valley and halt the Japanese troops to come through. This was a very important historical fact in which China was creative and strategic by using the river. Both of the river valleys in each region have their own significant history and foundation. The rivers have affected the people of each region and continue to do so with each of their creative geographic features.