The Tigris River

The Tigris River is one of the most famous rivers in history. It flows through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. The river is about 1,150 miles long. Many of the world's first cities were built along its banks thousands of years ago.

Land Between Rivers

The Tigris River flows next to another big river called the Euphrates. The land between them is called Mesopotamia, which means 'land between rivers.' This area is sometimes called the cradle of civilization. People there learned to write, farm, and make laws long ago. The famous city of Baghdad sits right on the Tigris.

A River Through Time

The Tigris River has seen many great empires rise and fall. The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians all lived along its banks. They built temples, palaces, and huge walls. Some of the first schools in the world were along the Tigris. People still find old treasures buried near the river today.

Fun Facts

• The Tigris flows faster than the nearby Euphrates River.
• The name 'Tigris' may come from an old word meaning 'fast' or 'arrow.'
• The world's first written laws were made in a city along the Tigris.

Did You Know?

The very first wheels, first writing, and first city in human history are all thought to have come from places near the Tigris River.