A civilization (UK and US) or civilisation (UK variant) is any complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification imposed by a cultural elite, symbolic systems of communication (for example, writing systems), and a perceived separation from and domination over the natural environment. The Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt) are understood to be the earliest of Civilizations.
Early civilizations[]
- Mesopotamian civilizations
- Sumerians (5500 BCE)
- Akkadian Empire
- Assyrian Empire
- Yellow River civilizations
- Mesoamerican civilizations (3700 BCE)
- Mayan Empire
- Incan Empire
- Aztec Empire
- Toltec Empire
- Olmec people (1600)
- Indus Valley civilizations (3300 BCE)
- Ancient India
- Gupta Empire
- Andean civilizations (3200 BCE)
Classic civilizations[]
Middle civilizations[]
- Kingdom of Aksum (100—940)
- Russian Empire
- Spanish Empire
- Portuguese Empire
- Dutch Empire
- French Empire
- British Empire
- Napoleonic Empire (France)
Modern powers[]
- Soviet Union
- United States
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Koreans