Syria

The land of Ancient Heritage, Timeless Resilience and Hope

The country is Syria with a long history with thousands of years, a place where many civilizations are mixed with cultures, and the present problems. The war-torn state of Syria is a living proof of how one can survive years of battles and emerge as a better country once characterized by fully developed cities, historic places, and a mixed culture. In spite of the problems, there is some optimism in the form of deep cultural heritage, significant archaeological sites, and an unbroken spirit of the people in Syria which will lead to a bright future of recovery and reconstruction.

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Geographical Location

Syria is at the center of the Middle East with communities in Turkey that it shares borders with on the north, Iraq on the east, Jordan on the south, Lebanon on the south-west, and Israel on the south-west. The land is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea at the west of Syria. Syria is located in an area of 185,180 square kilometers and being a crossroad of commerce, culture as well as enmity between Europe, Africa and Asia since time immemorial; people across the borders are regarded as possessing primitive furniture and actions.

Explore the diverse landscapes and rivers of Syria through its detailed Wikipedia page.

Natural features and Landform

Syria is geographically diversified as it has coastal plains and mountains and colossal deserts. The coastal mountain range spreads along the Mediterranean Sea occupying the western part of the country. On the east, one can find the Syrian Desert which is a dry land that also stretches to Iraq and Jordan. The Euphrates River forms one of the longest rivers in Western Asia which runs through the eastern side of Syria, which is significant in the agriculture of this region. Syria equally has fertile plains in areas such as Aleppo and Homs, which have traditionally boosted a robust agriculture economy.

Ancient History Medieval History

Syria forms one of the oldest uninterrupted inhabited places in the world and a depiction of a very rich past, which traces back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamian and the Levant. It also has some of the oldest cities, e.g. Ebla and Mari, and was included in the great empires of the ancient world, e.g. the Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. A city-state that had been the seat of a trading connection between the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire, the city of Palmyra a ( UNESCO World Heritage site) had once been a strong and powerful place.

During the medieval period Syria came under the Umayyad Caliphate and Damascus, its capital, turned out to be one of the most significant cities in the Islamic world. The city continued to serve as a great cultural, political and religious centre in the Abbasid and Ottoman Empires and the architectural marvels, such as Umayyad Mosque in Damascus can be considered as the pride of rich Islamic culture in Syria.

The Modern History and Rise of the Syrian State

The modern history of Syria started with the failure of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War. Syria was a French colony under the French Mandate which consequently resulted in the struggle of gaining independence by the nation as a nationalism effect. Syria became independent in 1946 and initially it was politically unstable and leaders experienced a wave of coups. When a military officer, Hafez al-Assad, came to power in 1970, he established the Assad regime that governed Syria for close to fifty years.

Syrian Civil War

In 2011, the Syrian Civil War burst out, which was by far the turning point in the history of the country. What started as a peaceful demonstration against the government has turned out to be a multi-sided and destructive war with several sides on the table both domestically and internationally. The war has occasioned massive carnage, deaths and displacement of millions of Syrians. Although there have been various peace initiatives and uneasy ceasefire in certain areas, the scenario is still at the boiling point and the nation massively struggles to recover.

Religious and Ethnic Diversity

The people of Syria belong to different ethnic backgrounds and cultures as well as religions. Most of the Syrians are Arabs, although there exist sizable ethnic minorities, such as Kurd, Armenian, and Assyrians. The majority of the population of the country are Muslims and most of them follow the Sunni Islam religion although there is a huge minority group of Shia Muslims with a special group of the Alawite branch. Syria is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world and there are deep Christian roots in Syria and on average 10 percent of the population can be counted as Christians.

The diversity in religion has also led to the rich cultural heritage in the country; this is because the groups of people have always coexisted over long periods of time. Yet, the constant fighting has led to the tensions between sectarian groups and hence challenges of national cohesion and social unity.

Traditions and Culture

The cultural identity of Syria is explained by the fact that it has always been the place where several civilizations intersected. The Syrians are very fond of art, literature, music and food. The traditional Syrian music which uses instruments such as the oud and qanun has also affected the tradition of Arabic music in the area. Syrian food has been known to be diverse in tastes and flavors and dishes that were originally used as staples of Syrian food culture include hummus, kebab, tabbiouleh and baklava.

Another tradition of Syria is the craftsmanship which is rich in terms of textile production, pottery, as well as the metalwork. The ancient cities of the country like Damascus, Aleppo, Homs have centurieslong history of being the centre of trade and exchange of cultures, which as it turns out affects the architecture, fashion, etc.

Religious Festivals

Syria also has religious holidays which include Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, which are major festivals where the family attends to celebrate the occasion through gatherings, feasts, and prayers. These Islamic holidays are a significant component of Syrian culture, and in the holy month of Ramadan, the Syrians fast all day, and in the evening they meet each other and have common meals.

Christmas and Easter are important religious holidays to Christian population of Syria who would mark these milestones by church services, feasts and family occasions. Such traditions have different traditions on holidays celebrated by the Christian communities in the cities of Damascus, Aleppo, and Maaloula where Aramaic (the language of Jesus) is still spoken.

National Holidays

March 17th since 1946, Independence Day, the most important national holiday, is celebrated in memory of the day when Syria gained freedom after being occupied by the French. Other than the national holidays, certain events of their modern history such as the anniversary of the 1970 coup that gave them Hafez al-Assad as a leader are also celebrated by the Syrians

Agricultural Sector

The economy of Syria has long depended on agricultural activities and the fertile plains located in the west of the nation accommodated the growth of natural products such as wheat, the production of barley, olives, and the raising of cotton. Syria is already associated with the production of olive oil and stands out as one of the biggest suppliers of the commodity in the world. Yet, the situation in Syria is that the conflict has ruined agriculture in this country and numerous farms have been either deserted or even destroyed.

Oil and Gas Industry

In Syria as well, there are reserves of oil although oil production has never been one of the main sources of finance in the Middle East, especially in the northeastern corner of the country. Oil used to be a valuable government source of income even before the war. Nonetheless, a large part of the nation is experiencing damage to oil infrastructure that has limited the capacity of the nation to export oil during the civil war.

Make and Industry

Prior to the war, there was a small and developing industry in Syria, with such activities as textiles, food processing, and cement manufacturing. Nonetheless, due to the war many of the industrial capabilities of Syria have been badly hit. Restoration and re-development activities will also play a pivotal role as regards rejuvenating the industrial sector in Syria.

Historical Landmarks

There are some of the greatest historical and archeological sites of the world in Syria. The historical city of Palmyra was the so-called Bride of the Desert, a very important location on the Silk Road, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Palmyra is one of the most recognizable symbols of Syria that survived the war due to the fact that it was heavily damaged. The other significant points are the ancient ruins of Romans at Bosra, the Mosque of Umayyads in Damascus and the Castle of Krak des Chevaliers built by the Crusaders.

Cultural Landmarks

The country of Syria boasts of numerous cultural sites as well including the Old City of Damascus which is one of the best preserved medieval cities across the globe. Such markets were the Souq al-Hamidiyya in Damascus and the ancient markets of Aleppo that were once centres of commerce and culture. Even the current war does not diminish the significance of these cities as symbols of cultural abundance of Syria.

Healthcare System

The country of Syria boasted of a rather developed healthcare system prior to the war especially in urban areas. Nevertheless, due to this war the healthcare system of the country has been stretched to its extreme with a lot of hospitals and clinics destroyed or functioning with fewer resources. Nonetheless, the healthcare professionals in Syria have nonetheless offered their services vitally in particular parts of Syria.

Education System

The education system that was once the most advanced in the region has also significantly been impacted by the conflict in Syria. A large number of schools have been destroyed or converted into shelters of the displaced population. Education is however a priority amongst most families and effort to ensure teaching continues despite informal means has been made.

Transportation Network

Syria possesses a rather well-developed system of transport networks which consist of roads, railways, and airports. A lot of infrastructure in the country however has been destroyed in the course of the war, especially in the urban places. The transportation network will also have to be restored so as to restore the economy and trade.

Urban Development

Damascus, Aleppo, and other large cities used to be prosperous urban centres, with their historical architecture and cultural establishments, and well developed markets. These cities experienced the war dearly whereby most buildings and infrastructures were ruined. The reconstruction of these urban centers will be one of the key issues in the future years.

The Best Time to Travel

Ideal Seasons

Spring (March to May), and autumn (September to November) are offered to be the most appropriate to travel to Syria because of the mild weather that contributes to the maximum observation possibilities. It is very hot throughout summer especially in the desert region; winter is cold, especially in the mountainous regions.

Special events and festivals

Those voyagers, who intend to come during such religious holidays like Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr, can feel the cultural hospitality of Syria and Syria welcomes their guests, yet one should remember about local manners and rules.

Conclusion: Syria is the Future

The future of Syria is questionable; however, the power and the resilience of its citizens give a hope of recovery. The cultural heritage of the country, the rich cultural landmarks and scenic views of Syria are valuable resources as the country embarks on the rebuilding process which will take a long period of time. Despite the current challenges there are still some things that allow talking about the sense of history and culture of Syria that constitutes the part of the identity of the Middle East and whose restoration will be significant to the future of the region.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Syria?

The most ideal time to visit is during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) seasons because the weather is moderate during those times.

Which are the best places of attraction in Syria?

Such places as the ancient city of Palmyra, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, the Castle of Krak des Chevaliers, and the Old City of Aleppo feature the top choices of visitation.

What is the language in Syria?

The official language is Arabic and other ethnic groups can speak Kurdish, Armenian and other languages.

Which is the primary industry in Syria?

The Syrian economy has several primary sectors namely oil sector, manufacturing and crop cultivation but the conflict has severely affected the economy.

Can we say Syria is secure to the tourists?

Syria has not been a safe place to a tourist owing to the continued warli. Before thinking of making any trip to Syria, it is necessary to consult a travel advisory.

Which cultural festivals must I attend in Syria?

Such large cultural festivals are the Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Nowruz, and in places such as Damascus and Aleppo, the festivals are celebrated on a large scale.

The strong cultural heritage of Syrians and the human spirit to survive are the hope of a better future. With the recovery of the years of conflict the country will surely regain its place in the world as one of the most historically rich regions.