Final answer:
The Nile River provided water, fertile soil, and a transportation route for ancient Egypt, resulting in agricultural abundance and cultural development. Deserts offered protection from invasions, contributing to the longevity of the civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Nile River was the foundation upon which the ancient Egyptian civilization was built, providing them with a consistent and predictable source of water and fertile soil. The river's annual flooding deposited nutrient-rich silt that was essential for agriculture, fostering a surplus of crops and facilitating the growth of population and wealth. Moreover, the Nile served as a means of transportation and communication, strengthening the unity and cultural development of Egypt, making it a resilient civilization.
Natural barriers such as the desert also played a key role in protecting the Egyptians from invasions. This difficult terrain discouraged foreign aggressors, preserving the society's development. The Nile and the surrounding deserts not only physically shaped the nation but were central to Egyptian beliefs, creating a sense of cosmic order and balance, embodied in the concept of Ma'at.
Advances such as the water wheel enabled agricultural expansion along the Nile, leading to increased prosperity and cultural achievements, which included remarkable progress in arts and an increase in literacy. The contrast between Egypt and regions like Mesopotamia or the tropical Congo highlights the unique benefits afforded by the Nile's predictability and the surrounding deserts.