PROJECT: EVALUATE IT! In your study of geography, you've learned that a number of relationships exist between people's activities and geography. People adapt to their environment in a number of ways. You yourself probably adapt like this every day without even thinking about it.

For example:
When it's cold outside, you wear warmer clothes.
If it's raining, you carry an umbrella.
If you live near a mountain, you might hike or ski when you have free time.
If you live near bodies of water, you may enjoy fishing or sailing from time to time.
People interact with their environment in other ways. Sometimes people change the physical geography of an area to better meet their needs. You probably see evidence of this on a daily basis.

For example: When you go someplace, how do you get there? If you're like most people, you can walk along the road or sidewalk. Perhaps you travel by car, bus, or bicycle. Well, the roads and sidewalks you use were not always there! People built them to make traveling easier, pouring concrete over the land and cutting down trees to make room for roads and sidewalks.
With technological advances, people's ability to alter their physical environment has drastically increased. Some of the changes people make have tremendous benefits. However, as with many changes, there are sometimes negative consequences for both people and/or the environment.

Egypt's Aswan Dam was such a change. It affected the people and the environment in a number of ways — both positive and negative. Large environmental projects such as the Aswan Dam must be carefully analyzed to determine if their benefits outweigh their costs, both in terms of the physical environment and the local populations. Although advanced technology has provided us with tools to modify our environment significantly, it's not always wise to do so.

Scientists and government officials may very well have used a comparison chart similar to the one below to determine if the benefits of the Aswan Dam outweighed its cost. In a comparison chart the benefits (pros) are listed on one side and the disadvantages (cons) are listed on the other. Using such a chart simplifies the comparison process and can help in the decision making process. This process is frequently called a "Cost-Benefit Analysis."

Aswan Dam Comparison Chart
Pros Cons
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OBJECTIVES
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the Aswan Dam.
Evaluate the pros and cons of this geographic modification.
Materials needed:
phone or computer capable of accessing the internet
paper (optional)
writing materials (optional)
Directions
Use the internet or other sources to research the Aswan Dam.

Create a comparison chart to help you conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Using the chart, analyze the benefits and the costs associated with its construction both for people and the environment. List at least three pros and three cons in the essay box below.
Then, choose a position based on your research, either supporting or opposing the construction of the dam. Write a brief essay using your research findings to support your position.