Final answer:
Civilizations such as the Maya and the Olmec emerged along river valleys and coastal areas, utilizing the fertile land for agriculture, which allowed for surplus food production, population growth, and development of complex social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major River Valleys and the Development of Civilizations
The emergence of civilizations along river valleys is a significant theme in the study of ancient societies. Rivers like the Nile, Yellow, and Tigris provided rich, fertile soil ideal for agriculture, leading to surplus yields that supported population growth and urban development. This agricultural abundance enabled the emergence of specialized craftwork, monumental architecture, and complex social structures, as seen in civilizations such as Egypt along the Nile and Mesopotamia with the Tigris.
In the Western Hemisphere, the Maya civilization thrived in Central America with remarkable ingenuity in agriculture, including the creation of raised fields with irrigation for canals, breeding of fish for fertilizer, and terracing in mountainous regions. By recognizing the significance of such natural waterways, ancient peoples could establish settlements that would grow into some of the most notable civilizations in human history, with advancements in arts, mathematics, and architecture.
Notably, the Mesoamerican civilization of the Olmec is considered the 'mother culture' of the region, known for their developments in written language and mathematical systems, which would eventually be advanced by subsequent cultures like the Maya, who perfected the calendar and written script.