Hmm always thought it’s cause big cities need big fresh water, that’s why there’s a good chance that historically they formed near streams/lakes. Typically near the coast rivers slow down and branch out, giving good access to natural resources and also trade. Trade increases prosperity and exposure to other cultures.
Indeed trade links relevant, so navigable rivers played a big role - before railways, our main transport was either boats or horses (or camels). Horses needed a lot of grass, which thrives in drier mid-continental climates where trees don’t survive wildfires. For example the Mongol empire was good at trade and connecting cultures, covered a huge area, but not (for long) near coasts, and still demanded intense tribal loyalty (elements of such culture was absorbed by the next empire which gradually pushed it back…).
Hmm always thought it’s cause big cities need big fresh water, that’s why there’s a good chance that historically they formed near streams/lakes. Typically near the coast rivers slow down and branch out, giving good access to natural resources and also trade. Trade increases prosperity and exposure to other cultures.
Indeed trade links relevant, so navigable rivers played a big role - before railways, our main transport was either boats or horses (or camels). Horses needed a lot of grass, which thrives in drier mid-continental climates where trees don’t survive wildfires. For example the Mongol empire was good at trade and connecting cultures, covered a huge area, but not (for long) near coasts, and still demanded intense tribal loyalty (elements of such culture was absorbed by the next empire which gradually pushed it back…).