birthplace; place of origin; cradle
Used for the place where something (a culture, product, movement, etc.) originated or was first created. Often carries a slightly formal or historical tone.
This place is said to be the birthplace of ramen.
The origin of that technology is ancient Greece.
故郷 means 'hometown' or 'native place' for a person, while 発祥の地 refers to the origin of a thing, culture, or phenomenon.
Compound of 発祥 (origin, rise) + の (possessive particle) + 地 (place). The expression is transparent and follows standard Japanese word formation.