What geographic area does "Mesopotamia" refer to?

The term "Mesopotamia" specifically refers to the historical geographic area located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which largely corresponds to modern-day Iraq and parts of neighboring countries. This region is often considered one of the cradles of civilization due to its extensive contributions to human history, including the development of writing, urbanization, and early forms of government. The fertile land between these two rivers allowed for the growth of agriculture, leading to the rise of some of the world's earliest cities.

The other geographic descriptors, such as desert regions, mountainous regions, or tropical rainforests, do not accurately capture the defining characteristics of Mesopotamia. The area's rich soil and the presence of water from the rivers, which support agriculture, starkly contrast with environments defined by arid deserts, rugged mountains, or dense rainforests.