expression, noun
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.
ここはラーメンの発祥の地と言われている。
This place is said to be the birthplace of ramen.
その技術の発祥の地は古代ギリシャだ。
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.