The map shows the Fertile Crescent.

Question

A map of the Fertile Crescent. The Fertile Crescent begins at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, continues north and west following the Euphrates River and Tigris River, and narrows down the western coast of the Syrian Desert ending in Egypt. The Caspian Sea in north and east of the Fertile Crescent. The Mediterranean Sea is west of the Fertile Crescent. The Red Sea is south of the Fertile Crescent. The Persian Gulf is south and east of the Fertile Crescent. The Nile River is east of the Red Sea. The Jordan River is north of the Red Sea. The Zagros Mountains are north and east of the Persian Gulf.

Based on the map, why was the Fertile Crescent favorable for early settlements?

access to water
more fertile soil
a warmer climate
the mountain barrier

Answer 1

The Fertile Crescent was favorable for early settlements primarily because of access to water and more fertile soil. The area includes major rivers such as the Euphrates and Tigris, which provided a reliable source of water for irrigation, agriculture, and drinking. The soil in this region was also enriched by the flooding of these rivers, making it highly fertile and conducive to farming.

While a warmer climate might have been beneficial for agriculture, it is the combination of access to water and fertile land that played a crucial role in the establishment of early settlements. The presence of mountains may have offered some protection, but they are not the primary reason for settlement in this region.