Hanging Houses of Cuenca

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/hanging-houses-of-cuenca

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 Hanging Houses of Cuenca?Cuenca, Spain, situated on the cliffs of the Huécar River ravine
2. How many people live in Hanging Houses of Cuenca?The city of Cuenca has a population of approximately 53,000 residents
3. How big is Hanging Houses of Cuenca?The province of Cuenca covers an area of 17,140 square kilometers
4. What language do people speak in Hanging Houses of Cuenca?Spanish is the official language
5. What is Hanging Houses of Cuenca known for?The Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses), a UNESCO World Heritage site
6. Why were the houses built on the cliff?The cliff gave a strong natural defense, making it hard for enemies to attack the city.

Medieval Engineering: The sophisticated building techniques and structural knowledge of the Middle Ages.
Cantilever: A rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: A place listed by UNESCO for its outstanding universal value and cultural importance.