The development of the ancient civilizations, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Harappa, was dependent on the flooding patterns, possibilities for trade, and course and location of each civilization's river: the Tigris - Euphrates, the Nile, and the Indus, respectively. These civilizations were successful because of the existence of those rivers. Yet, the ways in which the rivers contributed to the civilization's success differs in so many ways.

The notable civilization of Mesopotamia lied in between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. Depressively, these rivers flooded frequently at random times. However, because of the floods, silts were deposited in great amounts and over several millenniums, a flat fertile expanse called an alluvial plain was made. Since this alluvial plain was impossible to water, the Mesopotamians were forced to develop the system of irrigation, which is still in use to this day. In addition, the demanding landscape of this region forced the...