Ancient Mesopotamia is often referred to as the "cradle of civilization" due to its role in the development of some of the earliest complex societies. Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq, this region saw the rise of notable cultures, such as the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Mesopotamia is credited with significant innovations, including the invention of writing (cuneiform), the wheel, and advancements in mathematics and astronomy. Its city-states laid the foundations for governance, trade, and agriculture, fundamentally shaping human civilization's trajectory for millennia to come.