The Euphrates and Ancient Civilization

The Euphrates River winds from modern-day Turkey to Iraq and empties into the Persian Gulf. It marks the western border of a large floodplain known as Mesopotamia. The Tigris River, which merges with the Euphrates in southern Iraq, forms the eastern boundary of Mesopotamia. The region of Mesopotamia is often called the "Cradle of Civilization" because it was home to several of the earliest organized human societies, such as the Sumerians. The Euphrates is mentioned in the ancient writings of many religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In the Bible, the Euphrates is one of the four rivers flowing out from the Garden of Eden. Its associations with both paradise and early civilization secure its regard as one of the most important rivers in human history.

The Pyramids of Egypt

Most of the pyramids of Egypt were created between 2600 B.C. and 1600 B...