Mesopotamia Flash Cards

human geography

the study of how humans live in their communities and interact with the environment and how cultural, economic, and social factors influence these interactions.

physical geography

the study of land, water, climate and vegetation in an area

absolute location

a description of the location of an exact point on Earth using a grid system or GPS

relative location

a description of the location of a place compared to the location of another place

scarcity

when there is not enough of something to meet the demand

canal

a waterway made by people to control water and irrigate farms

city-state

a city that, along with its surrounding territory, forms an independent state

cuneiform

the system of ancient writing invented in Sumer; the name comes from the wedge shape of a stylus pressed into wet clay

hierarchy

a system in which people or groups are ranked and given high or low social status

scribe

a person who works as a professional writer for the government or for a business

ziggurat

a temple that is a massive building with rising layers

literature

words of lasting value, either written or spoken, that are generally considered to be a work of art

mythology

a collection of ancient stories that help explain the world

polytheism

belief in many gods

Complex society

a stage of social organization where people in large populations work together in specific roles to help the whole group thrive

Climate

a regions weather conditions over a long period of time