Final answer:
The control of water through irrigation and drainage in Mesopotamia is an example of Human-Environment Interaction. This geographical aspect enabled early civilizations to prosper by managing floodwaters for agriculture, leading to the development of significant urban centers and complex societal structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The development of irrigation and drainage ditches in Mesopotamia is indeed a prime example of Human-Environment Interaction, one of the Five Themes of Geography. This interaction shaped early civilizations by controlling the unpredictable flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Mesopotamians constructed extensive irrigation systems which enabled them to cultivate agriculture, manage water resources, and lay the foundations for urban centers like Ur, Babylon, and Nineveh. Their ability to control water was crucial for their survival and development, influencing their societal structures, economies, and governance.
The importance of geography in human development is highlighted through Mesopotamia's landscape, which ranged from vast deserts to mountain ranges, with rivers that facilitated the emergence of early urban centers. Thanks to their innovative water management, the Mesopotamians could sustain large populations and engage in long-distance trade, leading to a central authority that managed these systems and the labor required. Therefore, Mesopotamia's history illustrates the significant role geography has played in the evolution of human societies.