Mesopotamia

ancient history · rivers · civilization

Two Rivers. Mesopotamia's name means 'between rivers' in Greek, and it sat between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in West Asia. These rivers flooded regularly, bringing rich soil that made farming possible in the desert.

Birthplace of Cities. Mesopotamia is home to some of the world's earliest cities, where people first lived together in large numbers and created governments and laws. It was one of the first places where civilization really took root.

First Writing System. The ancient Mesopotamians invented one of the world's earliest forms of writing called cuneiform, made of wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay. This let people record stories, laws, and business deals that lasted thousands of years.

Part of the Fertile Crescent. Mesopotamia sits in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent, a crescent-shaped region in West Asia where the first farmers grew crops and raised animals. This area was perfect for agriculture because of its rivers and good soil.

Modern Iraq. Today, Mesopotamia roughly matches the territory of the country Iraq, with parts extending into Syria, Turkey, and Iran. This region has been important throughout history and still is today.