The meaning of literature

Literature has not been a new thing that was established like only 100 years ago; literaure has been existed for thousands of years. The Greeks, the Romains, the Mayas, great cultivated tribes and peoples have been living with literature and invented new poems, tales and novels. But literature is not only writing or creating books, it is also the ability to speak up and support one's own opinion. I think that is one of the main reasons why literature is taught in nearly every school. Furthermore, literature in one country can be very different from another. In my opinion, that makes it exciting, because it says a lot about its country.