Anuradhapura

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/anuradhapura

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Anuradhapura?Extends over 100 square kilometers (40 sq mi)
2. What is the founding era?Inhabited for nearly three millennia, with traditional founding date of 437 BCE
3. What is the duration as capital?Served as the capital of Sri Lanka for approximately 1,500 years
4. Why is the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree special?The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a living fig tree that comes from the tree under which Buddha became enlightened, making it a very important place for pilgrims.
5. How did the people of Anuradhapura grow crops on dry land?They built many reservoirs, canals, and irrigation systems that turned the dry North Central Plains into fertile farmland.

Sinhala Kingdom of Rajarata: The ancient kingdom centered in the Rajarata region of Sri Lanka, with Anuradhapura as its capital.
Hydraulic Civilization: A society characterized by advanced water management systems, crucial for agriculture and urban sustenance in arid regions.
Theravada Buddhism: The oldest surviving branch of Buddhism, prevalent in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Stupa (Dagoba): A dome-shaped structure erected over Buddhist relics, serving as a place of worship and meditation.