The study of mathematics began in ancient times, with early developments occurring independently in several regions of the world. Ancient Egypt and Babylonia (modern-day Iraq) were among the earliest civilizations to develop mathematical systems, with major contributions such as the development of arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. Other civilizations in regions such as China, India, and the Americas also made significant contributions to mathematics independently of the developments in Northern Africa and Southwestern Asia. Over time, these mathematical traditions were shared and exchanged, leading to the development of modern mathematics as a global discipline.