Why was Mesopotamia's location between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers significant to the development of a civilization?

a) They were close to the ocean, which provided an abundant food source.

b) The rich soil and the proximity to fresh water created a natural area for crop irrigation.

c) The nomadic tribes settled in the area since they had previously covered the entire region.

d) The Egyptians had left structures the Mesopotamians could use for housing.

The emergence of agriculture and the beginning of sedentary settlements and civilizations, constituted the start of the Neolithic period of human history, and took place in Mesopotamia's territories, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area counted with the natural conditions for crop irrigation with the rudimentary techniques available at the time.

Agriculture and sedentarism brought specialization and division of labor. Specialization allowed to improve the instruments and tools used for each activity and productivity was rapidly enhanced. For the first time in history, men produced more than they could consume and trade started to happen.