
Peter Zeihan
A geographic and demographic analysis explaining America's rise as a global superpower and the imminent shifts in the international order.
The United States has more navigable waterways than the rest of the world combined.
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Section 1
10 Sections
Take ancient Egypt as a vivid example. Nestled along the narrow Nile floodplain, this civilization thrived for millennia. The Nile’s annual flooding deposited rich, fertile soil, enabling reliable agriculture that supported dense populations. Surrounding deserts acted as formidable barriers, deterring invasions and confining the society within a manageable and secure corridor. This unique combination allowed Egypt to develop a strong, centralized government that could mobilize resources effectively, maintain order, and build monumental structures that still inspire awe today.
Contrast that with Mesopotamia or the Indus Valley, where rivers were less predictable, and natural defenses weaker, leading to more fractured political entities and frequent upheavals. Geography did not determine the intelligence or culture of these peoples; rather, it shaped the opportunities and challenges they faced.
As we journey through history and technology, we will see how this principle repeats itself, how new innovations shifted the balance of power, and how geography remains the bedrock beneath all human endeavor. The story of global power is, at its core, a story of place.
Let us now move forward to explore the technological revolutions that transformed these geographic realities into global empires.
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