The ancient civilization credited with the first major advancements in agriculture is Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization." Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, this region saw the development of farming techniques that allowed societies to shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. Innovations such as irrigation, crop rotation, and the domestication of animals facilitated increased food production, supporting population growth and urbanization. The emergence of agriculture also led to surplus, trade, specialization of labor, and the eventual rise of city-states, writing, and complex societies, laying the foundation for future civilizations.