A civilization is a society with a political state, social stratification, and symbolic systems of communication. Its most distinguishing features include symbolic systems of communication, political institutions, and urbanization. Civilization is a form of complex society and is a fundamental part of human history. Humans have developed a wide variety of symbolic systems to help them understand and communicate with one another, as well as among themselves.
A civilization is a way of life that is based on the needs of its citizens. In addition to its material needs, a civilization is an expression of its culture. In Civilization VI, players can build cities and districts according to their preferences. This allows them to shape their societies better than their opponents. They can also build strategically for the benefit of their allies. By carefully cultivating a civilization, players can further accelerate its progress through history. They can also unlock powerful bonuses before their opponents.
Civilizations are the antithesis of chaos and barbarism. People who live in civilizations are generally well organized, and are capable of thinking about art, education, and other important issues. This concept encompasses a large range of human achievements, from ancient Egyptians to Chinese and Mayan civilizations to Western civilization. Civilizations are often characterized by signs such as lighted streets, chimneys, and buildings that produce smoke.
In the earliest civilizations, many people lived in cities. This required a system of governance to manage the population. A political or religious leader had the power to affect the entire society. These early civilizations also developed written literature and temples. Ultimately, these institutions changed the way people lived their lives. In the process, religion also became a formal institution.
The evolution of civilizations and cultures can be traced back to the Stone Age. They have existed for 5,000 years, but the vast majority of human history was lived outside the boundaries of civilizations. Each of these civilizations evolved along a different path. Their meaning and origins were distinct, but they are all important parts of human history.
When civilizations collapse, many factors contribute to their demise. The first major cause is population dynamics. The sudden shift in population can cause the infrastructure of a civilization to break down. In some cases, the population growth is driven by migration, while in other cases the population decreases due to extreme weather conditions. A civilization may fall if it does not take steps to stabilize its population.
Some early civilizations developed writing. These tools were used to keep records and more efficiently manage complex institutions. In Mesopotamia, cuneiform writing was first developed, which was used to track economic exchanges. Other civilizations created oracle bone inscriptions, which may have had spiritual meanings.
A lack of water has also caused many areas to dry up. In these cases, people may have moved to areas near water sources to survive. This may be the reason why early civilizations developed in river valleys. These river valleys were rich in silt deposited during floods. Later, irrigation schemes were built to amplify the richness of these fertile areas.