Ancient Egyptian Geography

The West bank of the river Nile

In the early period of Ancient Egypt, the country was divided into two Kingdoms which were called 'Lower Egypt' and 'Upper Egypt'; they were located alongside the Nile delta. That was until one day in 3100BC, when King Menes of Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt thereby creating the one nation Egypt. Before the time of the Pharaohs, the Kings were still called King of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Egypt had two distinct land masses, which were called the 'red land' and the 'black land'. The 'black land' consisted of the fertile lands on the bank of the River Nile - this was the only land in Ancient Egypt that could be farmed, because after the Nile's yearly flooding which placed a rich, black layer of silt upon the land.



The dry, arid desert

The 'black land' constrasted with the 'red land' which consisted of arid deserts separating Egypt from other countries, and protecting Egypt from invading armies. However, these deserts did provide the Ancient Egyptians with a good source for precious metals and stones.