How did physical geography...?

Question

How do you think physical geography affected the growth of ancient history?

..curious of YOUR thoughts...

srry if this is a boring question :)

Answer 1

Physical features like mountains, deserts, or bodies of water tend to isolate groups so they couldn't trade items or culture. A good example is the Basque region - it has what's believe to be the world's only unique language for this reason.

The region and its physical environment dictates lifestyle - i.e. colder climates live more indoors or wear more clothes than warmer climates. Also desert climates promote nomadic subsistence patterns, while fertile areas can develop agriculture more easily.

The region and its physical environment influenced religions. This is one reason why pork is prohibited and water is important in Judeo-Christian religions. Pigs aren't made for desert dwelling nomads.

Humans can use the physical geography to their advantage. The Anasazi cave dwellings are a good example of humans using the environment to overcome a human or natural threat.

Answer 2

I can think of the immigration from Asia to America (I mean the American continent, not America as in USA) through the Bering strait.

Around 40,000 years ago, during one of the ice ages, the Bering strait was frozen, and it allowed people to walk through it. That's how the first inhabitants arrived to this continent.