Ancient Egypt

The Black Land
The ancient Egyptians called their country the black land. Because black was the color of the rich soil in the Nile Valley. The valley had once been a swamp, but as the climate changed only the Delta retained large areas of marshland.

Every year summer rains in Africa cause the waters of the Nile to rise along its length, flooding the low-lying fields in Egypt for about two months. The area covered in water was known as the flood plain.

When the waters went down they left a layer of fertile mud ideal for growing crops. A low Nile meant that only part of the flood plain would be covered and not enough crops could be grown to feed everyone. A very high Nile might flood villages and towns.

To the east and west of the Nile valley lie the deserts, which the Egyptians called the Red Land. The valley dwellers thought of the Red Land as a dangerous and sinister place.
South of Egypt the Nile becomes difficult to sail because of the rapids known as the Cataracts. To the North, Egypt was protected by the marshes of the Delta. These natural barriers made Egypt a difficult country to invade. Its isolation from the rest of the ancient world helps to explain its unique culture.