HOW DOES NATURE INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLES? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The influence of nature on the development of peoples and human settlements is an observable phenomenon since the very emergence of humanity.

Historically, most civilizations that achieved a successful process of urban, social and economic development, have achieved it thanks to the different natural factors that existed around them.

The most relevant natural factor is the proximity to water sources, in the ancient Egyptian Empire for example.

The Nile River was perhaps the natural element that brought the most benefits to the community. It was a source of water, food, and even technological advances such as clocks and improved agricultural cultivation.

Nature and its influence on the development of peoples

In ancient times, when a town chose a place to settle, nature was the main agent that influenced its 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 used to arise in sites of moderate altitude (well below 3,000 meters), valleys surrounded by mountains and pleasant climatic conditions.

Egypt

One of the first civilizations on record 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 features 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 the cultivation of plants, which fostered agriculture and its respective technological advances, such as the creation of channels for the irrigation of plantations.

As the floods of the river of a periodic nature, ancient calendars could be elaborated to have more notion about the advance of the months.

Natural factors in human development

Natural factors can also bring significant economic benefits to a population, eventually having a positive impact on its development.

Mining

Mineral extraction is a source of billions of dollars every year for many countries, and for centuries it has been an extremely influential development factor in the economy of peoples.

Oil and gas

Since the discovery of oil and gas, the world energy industry has been revolutionized.

Many of the countries where large oil fields 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 useful 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

1. About Human Development (2016). Retrieved on October 6, 2017, from United Nations.
2. David Winder (January 31, 1983). The importance of oil in our world today. Retrieved on October 6, 2017, from Science Monitor.
3. Russell Taylor (April 23, 2014). 5 Reasons Why You Can't Live Without Mining. Retrieved on October 6, 2017, from Linkedin.
4. Nature and Human Development (June 7, 2012). Retrieved on October 6, 2017, from Bruce Lipton.
5. Stephanie Mojica (March 6, 2017). How Do Nature Influence Human Development? Retrieved on October 6, 2017, from Bright Hub.
6. MW Daily (1934). Empire on the Nile.