Syria is part of the Levant and Mesopotamia, serving as a continuation of ancient civilizations, as it is one of the regions inhabited by humans, where various civilizations were built and trade flourished. The country of Syria, or the Syrian Arab Republic, is located in the Middle East, in Western Asia. In this article from tourguidemap, we will specifically learn about Syria and the reason behind its naming.
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What is the country of Syria?
It was formerly called Kheta, and the name Syria was adopted in 1961. It is an Arab country consisting of 14 governorates; its capital is the city of Damascus, covering an area of 185,180 square kilometers, and the largest city in Syria is Aleppo.
The official language is Arabic, and the inhabitants of Syria are called Syrians. The system of government is republican, with a legislative authority represented by the People’s Council and a judiciary authority represented by the Supreme Constitutional Court.
Syria is located to the north of Turkey, to the south of Jordan, to the east of Iraq, and to the west of Palestine and Lebanon, with the Mediterranean Sea.
Syria hosts significant archaeological sites such as the Citadel of Damascus, Krak des Chevaliers, the Church of Beit Dhara, the Umayyad Mosque, and others.
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Naming of the country of Syria
There are several interpretations regarding the naming of Syria, including:
- First interpretation: Syria was named after the Assyrian Empire, which was based in the Fertile Crescent and established civilizations, with its effects still present today. The letter “ش” (sh) was changed to “س” (s) because “س” is more familiar among peoples.
- Second interpretation: It was named after the city of Tyre located on the Mediterranean Sea, a city famous for trade.
- Third interpretation: The name Syria is derived from Turkish language linked to Sam, son of Noah, and Arabs use the name with a pronunciation that softens the letter “ي” (y).
- Fourth interpretation: This is the closest explanation stating that Syria was named after Ashur in the land of the Assyrians, as it was known since the Greek era.
History of the country of Syria
Syria has archaeological sites that date back 750,000 years before Christ, with 700 settlements from the Stone Age continuing to exist today. Major empires such as the Fertile Crescent, the Babylonian Empire, and the Chaldean Empire appeared on its soil.
Throughout all the phases of its existence, Syria has created different civilizations and cultures, showing advances in science, literature, arts, values, and trade both over land and sea through the Mediterranean, along with significant developments in science, engineering, architecture, and astronomy.
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Geography of the country of Syria
Syria is located in the southwest of the Asian continent and has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, measuring 193 km.
Syria’s topography features the Golan Heights to the south, and to the north lies the Lebanon Mountain Range. The highest point in Syria is Mount Hermon, located in the far north of the Jazira region, named for its many rivers.
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Climate of the country of Syria
The climate in Syria is divided into two sections: a Mediterranean climate and a dry climate. The Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot summers and dry winters, with the presence of autumn and spring. Winter is usually dry and extremely cold, with temperatures dropping to zero degrees Celsius.
The mountainous regions experience a moderate summer climate with rainfall, and snowfall on western highlands. Generally, apart from areas along the Mediterranean coast, there is high humidity in winter and low humidity in summer.
In coastal areas, humidity is relatively high due to the sea’s influence. As for desert regions, humidity is low, and winds are generally moderate. In the Euphrates Valley, winds blowing in summer are called Badia winds.
Economy of the country of Syria
The economy of Syria continues to decline, experiencing widespread destruction of infrastructure, a rise in the poverty rate reaching 50%, and an increase in unemployment among youth and recent graduates. This has led to the collapse of the Syrian pound, the official currency of Syria.
The depreciation of the national currency has resulted in a decreased purchasing power. Agriculture constitutes 26% of the national income, according to statistics from 2010, with Syria producing olives and cotton for export and previously ranking 13th before the outbreak of wars. After the wars, there was a significant decline in production.
On the tourism front, Syria was one of the best tourist countries due to its unique location, and tourism thrived both domestically and internationally yearly. However, after the outbreak of war, tourism in Syria came to an end.
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Culture of the country of Syria
The country is characterized by numerous cultures, with traditional Syrian culture significantly declining. Traditional dances such as sword dances and Shamiyah festivities are held during celebrations and social gatherings.
The country features impressive architecture that reflects Syrian art, such as the Cathedral of Saint Simeon located north of Aleppo. Regarding traditional clothing, for men, it includes trousers with a shirt, a jalabiya, and a turban or fez worn on the head, while women’s clothing consists of a long dark abaya, and for girls, a colorful abaya.
