Until early 1970's the Turkish Straits were known as a rich and productive marine area. The Straits also used to play an important role as a biological corridor between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and acted as an acclimatization zone for the Mediterranean species.
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided Mesopotamia with enough fresh water and fertile soil to allow ancient people to develop irrigation and grow supplies surplus.
The role the Tigris and Euphrates river played in the development of civilization is that they enriched the soil and helped farmers grow supplies surpluses.
