SKILL: USING ROUTE MAPS Study the map and map key. Use the information in the map to answer the questions. A map of the ancient Middle East. The Egyptian Empire is shaded and extends from Nubia in central Africa through upper and lower Egypt, with the Nile River as the empire's spine. The empire also extends along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean to Syria and the city of Kadesh in the north. A network of Egyptian trade routes connects the empire with other regions.