ABOUT SYRIA -
The Syrian Arab Republic has a population
of more than 18 million, lies on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea and
is a country very aware of its Arabic heritage.
Since the dawn of time, the area that is Syria has been a crossroads of
civilization, the bridge connecting the cultures of the eastern Mediterranean
and the fertile crescent, and the beginning of the Silk Road joining the West
with the East. It was here that the cultures of Mari and Ugarit rose and fell;
where the Assyrian, Sumerian, Phoenician, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman
empires and cultures met and influenced each other.
Damascus, the capital, is considered the oldest city in the world and was the
major eastern political and cultural center of the Roman empire in the times of
Jesus --St. Paul underwent his conversion to Christianity "on the road to
Damascus". A major Islamic city during the time of the crusades, it became
famed for the "Damascened" steel weapons that the local sword smiths
created for Saladin and his warriors. In the provinces, there are villages that
still speak Aramaic, an oral not written language. The alphabet carved on a clay
tablet found in Ugarit, is the first alphabet known in history.
There is stunning natural scenery; rugged mountains; green valleys; deserts;beautiful
swimming beaches and mountain peaks, perpetually covered with snow. Throughout
the country there are magnificent ancient ruins, Medieval castles and fortresses
and wonderful Islamic mosques.
Damascus - archeological and city
information.
Bosra - archeological and city information.
Lattakia - Syria's main port,
Lattakia. A premier seaside resort.
Palmyra - one of the greatest cities
of antiquity.
Deir Ezzor - archeological and
city information.
Crac des Chevaliers - Archeological
Sites.
Hama - considered the most picturesque
city in Syria.
Aleppo - one of the Great Middle
Eastern cities.
|
 |
|
