Syria
The Cradle of Civilization

Syria is often described as “The largest small country in the world”, despite the fact that it covers only 180-185 SQ. KM. It has a population of about 20 Million people (2008 Estimate). So where did the description come from? And how can we solve such a Paradox? Let us start the story from the beginning.

Syria is the cradle of the great ancient civilization. It is here that agriculture began ten thousand years ago, when the Syrians succeeded in uniting water with wheat, and in getting thousands of grains out of the one grain. Hence, the settlement commenced, and civilization started (the sites of Mreibit, Jeiroud, and Yabroud…). Syria also presented the world with another discovery, it was here that copper was made pliable, and bronze was invited (The site of Tal-Halaf). Later, the ancient kingdoms were formed (Mari- Ugharit – Ebla – Yamhad). All these were Arab Kingdoms and their inhabitants spoke different dialects of a language of Arabic origin. Those inhabitants, known as the Amorites, or the Phoenicians or the Arameans, or the Canaanites and the Ghassanites, were the descendents of the Arabs who emigrated ages ago from the Arab peninsula, and gave Syria its Arabic identity.

The immense strategic importance of Syria is due to its unique position as the meeting point of the three continents, and as the crossroad among the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Caspian Sea, the black sea, and the Nile. Through Syria lay the Silk Road which led from China to the first Syrian Station, Doura Eurropos (Tal As’salhiyeh), then to Palmyra and Homs, to the Syrian ports on the Mediterranean which was turned by the Syrian sailors into an Arab lake thousands of years ago. This geographic position adds distinction to the country, not only as a trade and caravan road, but also as a meeting point of diverse ideas, beliefs and cultures. Therefore, Syria contains remains of all great ancient civilizations.

Syria witnesses the discovery of agriculture and the creation of alloys. It also offered humanity, the first alphabet in history (Ugarit). The alphabet, which without, man could have never learned how to write, think, and live the true human being.

With the Islamic conquest (636 A.D) Dimashq (Damascus) became the capital of the Umayyad state, which stretched from the borders of China to south France. Since then, Syria has retained its unique position in the heart of the Arab and Islamic nation. It was Syria that defended the Arab nation against the Crusaders, and it is still preserving the Arab unity against all forms of colonialism and occupation by always being present in the Arab and International Circles. Thus, deserving its historical position as “The largest small country in the world”.

Sites In Syria

Aleppo
Amreet
Apamea
Ar'rasafeh
Arwad
As'sweida
Banyas
Bara
Bosra
Crac des Chevaliers
Damascus
Deir Ez-zor
Doura Europos
Ebla
Halabiye
Hama
Homs
Hosn Souleiman
Jableh
Latakia
Maalula
Mari
Misyaf
Palmyra
Qal'aat Al-Marqab
Qalb Lozeh
Qanawat
Qasr Al'hir al gharbi
Qasr Al'hir al sharqi
Safita
Saladin's Citadel
Salkhad
Seydnaya
Shahba
St. Simeon
Tartus
Ugarit