Ancient Egypt was divided into two kingdoms, known as Upper and Lower Egypt. The pharaohs were known as the rulers of the Two Kingdoms, viz. upper and lower Egypt. While the labelling of "upper" and "lower" might seem counterintuitive, with Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north on modern maps, the terminology derives from the flow of the Nile from the highlands of East Africa (upstream) to the Mediterranean Sea (downstream).
Lower Egypt is to the north and is that part where the Nile Delta drains into the Mediterranean Sea. Upper Egypt is to the south from the Libyan Desert down to just past Abu Simbel.
Today there are two principal channels that the Nile takes through the river's delta: one in the west at Rashid and one in the east at Damietta. In ancient times, Pliny the Elder (N.H. 5.11) said that upon reaching the delta the Nile split into seven branches (from east to west): the Pelusiac, the Tanitic, the Mendesian, the Phatnitic, the Sebennytic, the Bolbitine, and the Canopic.
Upper Egypt was known as Ta Shemau which means "the land of reed." It was divided into twenty-two districts called nomes. Nomes were subnational divisions in Ancient Egypt. The first nome was roughly where modern Aswan is and the twenty-second was at modern Atfih, just to the south of Cairo.
Lower Egypt was known to the Pharaohs as Ta-Mehu which means "land of papyrus." This part of the country was also divided into nomes; however, as the place was mostly undeveloped scrubland (which is land is undeveloped for human life because it is filled with all types of plant life such as grasses and herbs), the organization of the nomes underwent several changes. Ultimately there were twenty nomes and the first of these was at Memphis.
Egyptian history is divided into periods that reflect the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under one king. Intermediate periods of Egyptian history were times when Upper and Lower Egypt were not unified under one king.
[edit] Lower Egypt
Lower Egypt is the northern-most section of Egypt stretching from just south of modern-day Cairo to the Nile Delta at Alexandria. Lower Egypt's landscape is dominated by the Nile delta at Alexandria. The deltal region is well watered, crisscrossed by channels and canals. There are marshy areas and the mosquitoes could come to be a nuisance.
The climate is milder than the climate in Upper Egypt. Temperatures are less extreme and there is more rainfall in this area.
The Lower Egyptians' dialect and customs historically varied from those of the Upper Egyptians. Even in modern times, Lower Egypt is much more industrialized, and influenced by trade and commerce with the rest of the world. They traded with countries such Cyprus, Crete, Greece, Syro-Palestine, Punt, and Nubia.
The patron goddess of the Ancient Lower Egypt is Wadjetand its capital city Pe (Buto)[citation needed].
[edit] Upper Egypt
Upper Egypt is a narrow strip of land that extends from the cataract boundaries of modern-day Aswan to the area south of modern-day Cairo. It is full of steep cliffs and desert land. Historically, Upper Egypt's land was more isolated from activities to the north. From around 800 BC to 525 BC, this area was ruled by the High Priestess of Amon (often, this position were held by the same woman).
There were a number of differences between Upper and Lower Egyptians in the ancient world. They spoke different dialects, and had different customs, needs and interests. Many differences and the tensions they create still exist in modern times.
The patron goddess of the Ancient Upper Egypt is Nekhbet and its capital Nekhen (Hierakonpolis).
[edit] Climate Change in Egypt
80% of Egypt's population lives in the Nile Delta, which is below sea level. With the rise of the sea level these people will have to relocate due to the Nile Delta flooding.
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