Final answer:
Egyptians used the Nile to expand trade, leveraging its predictable flooding for agricultural surplus and establishing trade routes to secure valuable resources. Control over strategic regions and robust trade connections were maintained, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange with various civilizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Egyptians used the Nile to expand trade. The strategic location of Egypt along the Nile River facilitated predictable flooding which resulted in fertile soil favorable for agriculture, thus supporting a surplus in edible crops and growth in population. Coupled with the harnessing of the Nile's resources, it ensured robust trade with various regions, enabling Egyptians to acquire luxury goods like cedar, wine, silver, and oil, as well as essential resources such as gold and ivory.
Rulers during the Middle Kingdom expanded control into Nubia, building forts to secure valuable materials and establish trade routes. Major efforts were made to extend Egyptian power and influence through trade, with caravans linking areas such as Syria, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. The use of the Nile for trade was part of a larger pattern of diplomatic exchange, trade, and military power that defined Egypt's interactions with neighboring civilizations.
By maintaining influence in regions like Canaan, Syria, and Nubia, Egyptians preserved access to vital trading resources. Protection of trade flows was achieved by providing border security, supervising toll roads, and ensuring general safety for the exchange of products. Trade contact was not limited to immediate neighbors; artifacts such as Minoan pottery indicate connections even with Crete. All these measures contributed to the expansion of Egyptian trade and influence, facilitated by the Nile River.