Help with what im being asked to write a paper about?

"situation" probably refers to it's present state, (Economy, demographics, etc.). Athens probably has a LOT of info in terms of its history, as does Jerusalem, simply because they have been around and on record for so long. Rome , Baghadad, Istanbul and New York would also be good choices. Paris is a decent choice, but so much of its history is off-record and hard to find.