Page 147 - ABCTE Study Guide_Neat

The civilization of the Nile valley stretches back to around 4500 BCE
with the Neolithic Badarian people. The Nile has always been
essential to Egypt's prosperity, even though in modern times the
fertile strip along the Nile river only comprises about 4% of the area of
Egypt. Egypt's principle exports are corn, rice, wheat, and textiles.

France is comprised of three geographic regions: mountains (on the
southeastern and western borders), uplands (notably the Massif
Central in south central France), and rolling plains (in the northwest).
The mountains have helped to define France, to discourage invaders,
and to complicate France's expansionist ambitions into Spain and
Italy. Modern France is a presidential republic, though claimants to the
French throne survive. It is powerful both agriculturally and
industrially, as well as being the third largest nation in Europe (after
Russia and Ukraine). Its principle exports are livestock, grains, iron,
and steel.

Reunited in 1990 after having been partitioned following World War II,
Germany is industrially and financially important, though economic
difficulties for its eastern portion remain a major concern. Germany
has a rich agrarian plain in its north, even as pollution problems
plague its forest regions. Germany produces grains, potatoes, steel,
automobiles, and machinery, among other things.