The ancient civilization associated with the Mesopotamian region is Sumer. Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq, Sumer is known as one of the world’s earliest civilizations, dating back to around 4500 BCE. This civilization is credited with major innovations such as the invention of writing (cuneiform), the development of early urban centers like Ur and Uruk, and significant advancements in mathematics and astronomy. Sumerians also established complex governmental systems and made substantial contributions to art, architecture, and trade, profoundly influencing subsequent cultures in the region.