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The Tel is a city in the suburbs of Damascus, Syria. It is located north of Damascus and is an administrative center for the Tel District in Rif Dimashq Governorate. The city has a mountainous terrain with varying elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 meters above sea level. It is situated in the Qalamun Mountains range that stretches from Damascus southwards to Homs northwards. The city is approximately 14 kilometers north of Damascus.

The Tel borders Arsal al-Ward and Al-Tafail to its north, with Ain al-Jawza and Nabi Ham to its northwest, all from Baalbek District in Lebanon. To the east, it borders Qatifa, Hilala, and Tawani, while to the west, it borders Bloudan, Ifrinah, Basima, Ashrafiyah, Al-Hamidiyah, and Dumar. The city was built on the ruins of three ancient villages: Al-Qasimiyah, Al-Batiha, and Al-Qawsar, which are now part of the city.

The name "Tel" comes from its location, as it is situated on a high hill at the beginning of the Qalamun Mountains range. The residents built their homes on this hill and made the area suitable for agriculture.

Etymology
The word "tel" refers to something that rises above the surrounding land, but is lower than a mountain.

The city's name comes from its location, where ancient settlements were built on a high hill at the beginning of the Qalamun Mountains range. The urban development then spread in various directions.

Geography of Tel
The Tel has a beautiful location at the southern-western foothills of the Qalamun Mountains, with an elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level, approximately 14 kilometers north of Damascus. It is situated in the middle of the Menin Valley, which has a good climate and is known for its pleasant weather and clean water.

The city's homes are scattered on both sides of the valley, on a mountainous terrain with limestone rocks. A road leads from Damascus to Barzeh and then to Qalamun resorts northwards. The Tel borders several villages and towns: Menin (5 kilometers away), Al-Darij (5 kilometers away), Ma'araba (3 kilometers away), Ma'roura (9 kilometers away), and Harfah.

The Tel is the center of a region that includes several villages, including Harfah, which has become one of its neighborhoods. Other villages in the area include Menin, Ma'araba, Al-Darij, Halbun, Ma'roura, Talfeeta, Sidnaya, and Rankus.

A Brief History of Tel
The current city of Tel is a relatively new settlement that has developed rapidly due to the cooperation and hard work of its residents. The city was built on the ruins of three ancient villages: Al-Qasimiyah, Al-Batiha, and Al-Qawsar. In recent years, Harfah village, located on the western bank of the valley, has been incorporated into the city.

The Tel is home to many archaeological sites, including a famous shrine dedicated to Sheikh Qasim, mentioned by Sheikh Abdul Ghani al-Nabulsi in his travels through the area in 1105 AH. He reported that the shrine was built for Qatham bin Abdullah bin Abbas, not Qatham bin Abbas, who was a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ibn Athir wrote that Qatham bin Abbas was appointed by Ali ibn Abi Talib as governor of Mecca.

Some sources suggest that the shrine is actually dedicated to Qasim al-Harathi, a young man from Telfeeta who was exiled and later died in Samarkand during the reign of Muawiya. Others believe that it may be the tomb of Qatham bin Abbas, who was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

A historic canal passes through the city's lands, coming from Menin and mentioned by some historians as part of the "Nahr al-Mara" river, which carries fresh water from the mountains of Brad to the east.