Mesopotamia means "the land between the two rivers". This area is located in south western Asia, chiefly in the Fertile Crescent. The two rivers in questions are the; Tigris and Euphrates. A number of factors contributed to the rise and growth of civilization in this region. These include

i) The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers: The waters of these two rivers helped to bring in rich fertile sediments which made it possible for the land along their banks to be very fertile. As a result of this the nomads (people who were wandering) used force to settle on these fertile lands and cultivated crops to feed themselves. After settling, the floods of the rivers made life difficult and they had to organize themselves in order to control the floods. As a result of this, governments were set up which built dykes to contain the floods. During the hot season, they created canals which were used to irrigate the farms.

ii) Low level plains: The plain of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean coastline did not have any barrier against any invasion. Consequently invaders often occupied the region. The newcomers often settled and contributed greatly to the Mesopotamian civilization.

iii) Mediterranean coastline: The lack of stone made the people of Mesopotamia to make good use of clay. They used the clay to make bricks for construction and also for making clay tablets for writing.