Ancient Mesopotamia is often called the "cradle of civilization" because it was one of the first places where humans developed writing, cities, and complex societies. Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq, this region was home to several powerful cultures, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. They built impressive cities like Ur and Babylon, where they created laws, trade systems, and monumental architecture. The people of Ancient Mesopotamia made significant contributions to human knowledge, such as the invention of the wheel and the development of cuneiform writing. They practiced agriculture, which allowed them to grow crops like barley