Ocean-centered geography emphasizes the role of oceans in shaping regions. In the case of the Pacific Rim, this perspective highlights how the Pacific Ocean connects countries across East Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. It underscores the ocean's impact on trade, cultural exchange, and geopolitical dynamics, as well as the shared challenges and opportunities faced by nations along its shores.

Two rivers where civilizations began are the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and the Nile river in ancient Egypt. These rivers played a vital role in the development of early civilizations due to their fertile floodplains, which supported agriculture and allowed for the growth of complex societies.