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Which modern countries include land once considered part of Mesopotamia?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Historical map showing ancient Mesopotamia with labeled locations of major archaeological and historical sites. Symbols and color codes indicate sites from the prehistoric era, Sumerian-Akkadian culture, Babylonian and Neo-Babylonian eras, Assyrian civilization, Hurrian era, late Persian, Greek, and Parthian eras, as well as marshland areas. The map covers the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, including present-day Iraq and surrounding areas.
history of Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia, a historical region whose name means "between rivers" in Greek, refers to the land situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.12

While the region is primarily associated with modern-day Iraq, its historical boundaries are broadly defined to include parts of several contemporary nations. These include:12

  • Iraq: The heart of the region, encompassing both the northern area known as Al-Jazīrah and the southern area historically called Babylonia.13
  • Syria: Eastern portions of the country are considered part of the broader Mesopotamian region.12
  • Turkey: Southeastern areas are included in the region's historical definition.12
  • Iran: Parts of the country, particularly areas adjacent to the region and the low-lying plain of the Kārūn River, have historically been closely related to or considered part of the Mesopotamian sphere of influence.132