What city, the capital of Horan province, is known for its volcanic black basalt stone, commandeered by the soldiers of the Ottoman Empire for their own construction efforts? |
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Sweida. The city, also known as As Suwayda, is in the southwest part of the country. It is close to the border with Jordan.
What city, known for the quality of its steel during the Crusader era, was sacked by troops of the Mongol general Timur in 1400, hosts the Umayyad Mosque and is home to several of the most prestigious universities in the country? |
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Damascus. According to the Book of Acts, Damascus was the city to which Saul of Tarsus was headed when he had a vision of Jesus. He was moved to convert to Christianity and changed his name to Paul. Damascus was also a center of the silk trade during the Middle Ages, leading to the term "damask" for a style of cloth weaving.
What city was known as Beroea or Khalpe in ancient times, abuts on the river Quweiq, has a population just under two million and is home to a fortress called the Citadel? |
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Aleppo. In ancient times, the city housed a significant Jewish community. The Aleppo Codex is believed to be one of the oldest copies of the Hebrew Bible.
What city once known as Ugarit claims to be home to the oldest alphabet in the world? |
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Ras Shamra. The Ugaritic language had a cuneiform alphabet. In antiquity, the town was an important nexus of trade to the adjacent river valleys.
What city on the Orontes River was known as Emesa in ancient times, and is home to the medieval fortress of Krak des Chevaliers, as well as the tomb of seventh century general Khalid bin Walid? |
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Homs. Homs was conquered by Alexander the Great. Archaeologists have uncovered signs that the first settlements in the city date to the Stone Age.
What city is home to the Cathedral of Sts. Serge, Bachus and Leontus, and a Roman theater that after its restoration became home to ballet and acting companies of national renown? |
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Bosra. The Romans made Bosra the capital of their province of Arabia. The town also hosted an ornate bath facility.
What city in the northwest is known for its agriculture, which produces almonds, cotton, tomatoes, grapes, figs, and olives among its many crops? |
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Idlib. Idlib is home to a population of about 55,000. It is not far from the border with Turkey.
What city holds the ruins of the Castle of the Templars and a Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, underwent redevelopment in modern times thanks to the fishing industry, and is the nearest city to the island of Arwad? |
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Tartus. Arwad is the only island in Syria. Its town, also named Arwad, is the only settlement on it.
This port on the Mediterranean Sea is home to the Al-Mahaba Festival, which takes place every August. It boasts a Roman arch from the reign of Septimus Severus. What is it? |
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Latakia. The Greeks called the city Laodicea. Its population in 2007 numbers over 554,000.
This city is home to the monasteries of St. Sergius and St. Tekla. The name of the place means "entrance" in Aramaic. In fact, Aramaic is still the daily spoken language there. What city is it? |
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Maaloula. Maaloula is in the Qalamoun mountains. It is about 30 miles outside of Damascus. |
