Ancient Egypt could not have existed without the river Nile. Since rainfall is almost non-existent in Egypt, the floods provided the only source of moisture to sustain crops.. Every year, heavy summer rain in the Ethiopian highlands, sent a torrent of water that overflowed the banks of the Nile. This left thick rich mud (black silt) which was excellent soil to plant seeds in.. The ancient Egyptians could grow crops only in the mud left behind when the Nile flooded. So they all had fields all along the River Nile.. Reeds, called papyrus, grew along side the Nile and were used to make paper and boats from the reeds.. The Nile also gave the ancient Egyptians food. They used spears and nets to catch fish.. Another way the Nile helped was transport as it was the quickest and easiest way to travel or move goods from place to place.. Now days you can add tourism and hydro-electricity to the list..