Early Egyptian environmental or physical geographic factor that contributed to the development of early human society was the Nile River. Early Egyptians based their entire existence on the rhythm of the river. The river became a major source of agriculture. For three months of the year, known as the “inundation season”, the Egyptian farmers worked hard. The first month the Nile would flood into the farmers’ fields, after the flood receded the next month the fields dried out leaving the soil fresh and highly nutritious for farming, after which the farmers would work to seed the fields. The people of Egypt depended on the Nile River to sustain life. The Nile became a means of trade with other regions which was a positive factor in economic development. Regional kingdoms were a result of this development. The Nile became a major factor in which the people built a community around.
The potato is a good example of diffusion between early human societies. Two hundred thirty five species of potatoes were first found in South America’s Andes Mountains. Potatoes spread around the world and became a staple food in some places because it can grow easily in cold and wet conditions, is highly nutritious and helped alleviate the symptoms of many diseases such as dysentery, scurvy, measles and tuberculosis. Higher birth rates and lower mortality rates, which potatoes helped cause, led to a population explosion wherever the potato traveled. Potatoes were first introduce to Europe then transported worldwide by trading companies and sailors.
The two significant factors that contributed to the development of the United States are the Irish potato famine and the California gold rush. The Irish potato famine caused the population growth and Irish cultural diffusion in the United States. Potatoes were a basic food staple in Ireland. The end of October 1845 the Irish were affected by the late blight disease caused by and airborne fungus. This forced many farmers to eat their...