por Nature influences the development of peoples in different ways:
Allowing or avoiding feeding from the collection of fruits and seeds, hunting, fishing, livestock and fishing. The use of natural resources such as water from rivers, lakes and seas. The construction of cities, communities and settlements in areas where the relief allows it. Mineral or precious metal deposits. Forests to gather wood for building houses and other materials. Communication by rivers, seas, lakes or land. Although natural resources are important, it is not a determining factor. For example, Japan is an advanced society with few natural resources, while countries in Africa or America have many natural resources but are further behind.
Nature and its influence on the development of peoples
In ancient times, when a town chose a site to settle, nature was the main agent that influenced their decision.
Many of the world’s most important capitals and cities have continued that legacy that can be seen to this day; Lyon, Zurich, Caracas, London or Florence are good examples of this.
These cities crossed by rivers are evidence that human beings have always seen natural elements as potential contributors to their development.
Apart from the proximity to water sources, the geography of the area is another determining factor.
By default, the towns tended to arise in places of moderate altitude (well below 3,000 meters), valleys surrounded by mountains and pleasant climatic conditions.
Egypt
One of the first recorded civilizations used nature for its benefit and development.
Despite being located in a desert environment where at first life would not seem sustainable, it was surely the Nile River that motivated the Egyptians to settle in that area.
Apart from its most obvious utility, a source of fresh water, there were other characteristics of the river that allowed the Egyptian Empire to develop successfully.
It was also a source of food for the inhabitants, especially fish, crustaceans, aquatic plants and small mammals.
Its banks offered excellent soil for growing plants, which encouraged agriculture and its respective technological advances, such as the creation of canals for the irrigation of plantations.
As the river floods are periodic, ancient calendars could be drawn up to have a better understanding of the progress of the months.
Other natural factors in human development
Mining
The extraction of minerals is a source of billions of dollars every year for many countries, being for centuries a highly influential development factor in the economy of the towns.
oil and gas
Since the discovery of oil and gas, the global energy industry has been revolutionized.
Many of the countries where large oil deposits have been found have had a superlative economic boom, such is the case of many Arab nations.
Energy
Although in ancient times rivers and water sources were mainly used for food, today they are vital for the production of electricity in many countries.
Millions of people around the world depend on hydroelectric dams for their daily lives.
References
About Human Development. Retrieved from United Nations.
The importance of oil in our world today. Retrieved from Science Monitor.