Geographic determinism can be explained as the way the natural or physical alignment of the earth predisposes states and different societies towards various development courses. Many human features and phenomena include economies, beliefs, genes, life expectations, and incomes among other things that are influences by both geographic and non-geographic factors. In this aspect of geographical factors, it considers the biological and physical factors that revolve around the distribution of animal and plant species, climate, topography, and soils. This paper aims at explaining and evaluating geographical determinism through civilization and all its aspects.

The non-geographic factors are covered in people’s history, decisions and collectively as a culture. The features and phenomena experienced and recorded in man have been influenced greatly by geographical factors. Civilization is a development of ways of life into a complex nature and settlements made by people in different areas. Civilization has been witnessed for centuries dating back as early as 3000 BCE when economic stability and food made people rise to agriculture. Agriculture was made possible so that people could afford surplus food for their populations. The first appearance of civilization is said to be in Mesopotamia a region that is now referred to as Iraq and then later Egypt. From this regions, there has been civilization witnessed in various regions based on the geographical determinism.

Various characteristics can be viewed when defining civilization. These features vary with time, but they have been documented over time as a form of history. Civilization is witnessed by large populations in some regions. The development of civilization is through rich soils that support agriculture. Urban centers are created as a form of civilization as they form regions where farmers sell their produce. The farmers do not live far from the urban centers. Such a geographic area that has allowed the development of civilization into an urban center is the Teotihuacan in Mexico. During the time between 300 and 500 CE, the area had a population of about more than 100 000 residents because the surrounding area was fertile, and agriculture was thriving. Farmers went into the area to sell their produce as the few farmers could supply food to very many individuals.

Back to the cradle of civilization, Mesopotamia, Civilization dwelt in the area due to the geographical possibility of cultivation. Otherwise, if the land were never tillable, this kind of civilization would have perhaps begun from somewhere else. In Egypt, the agriculture was developed into different stages and forms due to the geographical factors. There is the river Nile, which is the only river that passes across the Egyptian desert. The Egyptian utilized the nature’s gift through channeling the water into their fields and began growing crops. The further developed instruments that could till the land easily as they expanded their plantations. Farmers used the rotational method of farming due to the potential loss of fertility on the land.

In areas such as the Gulf, the region has developed due to natural phenomena. There are the large oil and gas deposits that are found in the region. Most countries use this opportunity to try and establish themselves economically. Economic establishment and stabilization can be regarded as a form of civilization as in this instance; the case is geographically determined. The gas and oil are sold so that the area or revenue obtained can be used for development.

Geographical phenomena aid us to be civilized in different forms. People in cold areas such as Alaska develop a different type of clothing like the people in the tropics. In Alaska, it is colder compared to the tropics hence individuals like clothes with a lot of wool, unlike the tropics. Further, agriculture is easily carried out at the tropics.