CHAPTER 5

The World History Environment and Periodization

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary: Before we begin to consider the scope of the human story, we must first consider the stage
on which the story unfolds: the land and the oceans themselves. The Advanced Placement World
History course divides the globe into a number of regions that include the following: East Asia,
Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Southwest Asia (the Middle East) and North Africa, Sub-
Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, North America, Latin America, and Oceania. The
map overleaf illustrates the location of these regions. Keep in mind that political boundaries among
nations may vary considerably throughout the different periods of history.

Key Terms

An asterisk (*) denotes items listed in the glossary .

civilization
climate
cultural diffusion
independent invention
monsoon
steppe*