<P> The Fertile Crescent ( also known as the cradle of civilization ) is a crescent - shaped region containing the comparatively moist and fertile areas of what is an otherwise arid and semi-arid Western Asia , the Nile Valley and Nile Delta . It was created by the inundations of the surrounding Nile , Euphrates , and Tigris rivers . Having originated in the study of ancient history , the concept soon developed and today retains meanings in international geopolitics and diplomatic relations . </P>
why were the achievements of the peoples of the fertile crescent so important
originated in the study of ancient history , the concept soon developed and today retains meanings in international geopolitics and diplomatic relations .