Damascus

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/damascus

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. Where is Damascus?Southwestern Syria, situated in a fertile oasis
2. How many people live in Damascus?Estimated at approximately 2.5 million residents
3. How big is Damascus?Covers approximately 100 square miles
4. What is the capital of Damascus?Serves as the political and administrative capital of Syria
5. What language do people speak in Damascus?Arabic is the official language; Damascene Arabic dialect is prominent
6. When was Damascus built?Evidence of continuous habitation dates back over 11,000 years

Umayyad Caliphate: A major Islamic caliphate that ruled from Damascus from 661 to 750 CE, expanding its empire significantly.
Palimpsest: Something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form, often used metaphorically for historical sites.
Levant: A historical and geographical term referring to the eastern Mediterranean region, including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel.