Geography and History: Resource Management

Geography and History

• Geography's impact on human history:
  • Shaped the development of civilizations and cultures
  • Influenced the migration and settlement of people
  • Affected the availability of resources and trade routes
• Environmental factors that influenced human history:
  • Climate: climate change, natural disasters, and weather patterns
  • Topography: mountains, rivers, and coastlines
  • Natural resources: availability of water, food, and minerals

Managing Resources in History

• Importance of resource management in history:
  • Access to resources determined the success or failure of civilizations
  • Control of resources led to power and wealth
  • Management of resources influenced the environment and population growth
• Types of resources managed throughout history:
  • Water: irrigation, canals, and aqueducts
  • Food: agriculture, hunting, and gathering
  • Minerals: mining, metallurgy, and trade
  • Energy: human labor, animal power, and fossil fuels
• Impact of resource management on the environment:
  • Deforestation and land degradation
  • Overfishing and depletion of fisheries
  • Pollution and climate change
• Historical examples of resource management:
  • Ancient Mesopotamia's irrigation systems
  • The Inca Empire's terracing and agricultural systems
  • The Roman Empire's aqueducts and water management systems