Question

Egypt was spared the ____________ of its soil because the annual flooding of the Nile flushed out any accumulated salts. About 3500 BCE, a sudden decline in rainfall across North America caused villages along the Nile to develop into small chiefdoms but without large, central cities.

a) Erosion
b) Fertility
c) Salinization
d) Desertification

Answer 1

The annual flooding of the Nile prevented the salinization of Egyptian soils, thereby maintaining its fertility and supporting sustainable agriculture.

Step-by-step explanation:

Egypt was spared the salinization of its soil because the annual flooding of the Nile flushed out any accumulated salts. In ancient Egypt, the reliability of the Nile's annual floodwaters was crucial for maintaining the soil's fertility and supporting the growth of crops. This Mesopotamian phenomenon was in contrast to other regions where irrigation led to soil degradation due to salinization or erosion.

The Nile river's annual flooding deposited nutrient-rich silt onto the soil, which was referred to as Kemet, or the "black lands," producing incredibly fertile fields. This process played a significant role in Egypt's agricultural success, permitting peasants to harvest crops multiple times a year and contribute to the wealth of the society. Without the annual flooding, the soil would suffer from the buildup of salts, leading to a reduction in crop yields. The importance of floodwaters in creating highly fertile and productive land around the Nile was paramount to Egypt's flourishing agricultural practices and overall economic stability.