Answer:
Rivers, Floodplains, Deserts, Mountains, and Climate
Step-by-step explanation:
The four river valley civilizations are the civilizations that developed in the valleys of the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates, Indus, and Yellow Rivers. The key geographic features that impacted these civilizations are:
Rivers: The most significant geographic feature that impacted the four river valley civilizations is the rivers that flow through their respective regions. The Nile River in Egypt, Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Mesopotamia, Indus River in India, and Yellow River in China provided the necessary water for agriculture, transportation, and other activities.
Floodplains: The river valleys were fertile due to the annual flooding of the rivers that deposited rich silt in the floodplains. This allowed for abundant agricultural production and sustained the development of the civilizations.
Deserts: The surrounding deserts provided natural barriers that isolated these civilizations from other regions and influenced their unique cultures and development.
Mountains: The mountains surrounding the river valleys provided protection from invasions and influenced the development of trade and communication routes.
Climate: The climate of the regions also impacted the development of these civilizations. For example, the hot and arid climate of Mesopotamia made irrigation necessary for agriculture, while the monsoon rains of the Indus Valley impacted the timing of planting and harvesting.
Overall, the geographic features of the four river valley civilizations played a significant role in shaping their development, from their agricultural practices to their trade and communication networks.