User Guide

Z
oning land for houses gets people to the city.
Food keeps them there. Food production is
probably the single most important industry in
the city, and farms will likely be the primary source of
food. The city won’t survive long without a steady
supply of food. Hungry people tend to be cranky,
prone to disease and eager emigrants.
Most of Egypt is dry and unarable. The fertile banks of
the Nile, however, cut through like a rich, luxurious
ribbon. This fertile land is limited, so you must plan
farms carefully. Other areas have meadows on which
farms can thrive.
TThhee NNiillee,, tthhee IInnuunnddaattiioonn aanndd tthhee NNiilloommeetteerr
Certainly, many great cities and countries have been
built along the banks of a river. What makes the Nile
so special? Each year, the Nile floods its banks,
depositing nutrient-rich silt on the land. Called the
Inundation, this yearly event is so important that
Egyptians base their seasons on the river’s cycles.
Usually, the Nile floods its banks every year between
June and September. Two to four months after the
flood, the Nile recedes, leaving behind it the most fer-
tile land in Egypt.
But, the Nile is unpredictable. It can flood high one
year and low the next, or, if your city is truly unfortu-
nate, the flood might not happen at all. Luckily, you
have a Nilometer to help you gauge the coming
flood’s characteristics. Priests interpret the Nilometer
readings and notify your Chief Overseer (page 203)
Farming and Food Production