The ancient civilization credited with founding the first cities is Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization." Located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in present-day Iraq, this region saw the emergence of urban settlements like Ur, Uruk, and Babylon around 3500 BCE. The development of agriculture enabled larger populations, leading to the growth of city-states characterized by complex social structures, trade, governance, and advancements in technology, writing, and culture. Mesopotamia's contributions to human development laid crucial foundations for future civilizations, including systems of law, literature, and organized religion.