Celeste Forest, age 11, of Youngstown, Ohio, for her question:

Where was ancient Mesopotamia?

This cradle of early civilization is now occupied by Iraq, by the eastern part of Syria, and by a southeast portion of Turkey. Here, at the dawn of history there were settlements along two mighty rivers, draining southeastward to what is now the Persian Gulf. Between them the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers created a level, well watered region suitable for farming.

The name Mesopotamia is coined from Greek words meaning"between the rivers." The history of the region goes back through some 6,000 years. Time after time, it was invaded by different peoples, many of whom built fabulous cities and established powerful empires. The glamorous names of Babylon and Assyria, Akkad and Chaldea belong in the old story of Mesopotamia.