Damascus (Arabic Dimashq or Al-sham) Capital and chief city of , in southwestern , on the Barada River , near the Anti-Lebanon Mountains in the southwestern part of the country. The greater part of Damascus , including the rectangular ancient city, is on the south bank of the Barada modern suburbs extend from the north bank. Damascus has long been an important commercial center. In former times it was famous for dried fruit, wine, wool, linens, and silks. Damask, a type of patterned fabric, was named for the silk fabrics woven in Damascus . The city was notable also for the manufacture and transshipment of damascened steel sword blades, which were exceptionally hard and resilient. Today the city is the trading center for figs, almonds, and other fruit produced in the surrounding region. Industries in Damascus include handicrafts, such as the weaving of silk cloth and the making of leather goods, filigreed gold and silver objects, and inlaid wooden, copper, and brass articles. Among the city's other manufactures are processed food, clothing, and printed material. The streets of the city, with the exception of the “street called Straight” (mentioned in the Bible in Acts 9:11), on which Saint Paul is supposed to have lived, are crooked and narrow. The houses frequently combine a splendidly decorated interior with a plain and somber exterior. The walls fronting the street are usually without windows. Damascus has more than 200 mosques, of which 70 are still in use. Of these, the Umayyad Mosque, or Great Mosque, is the most important. Said to have been a heathen temple, it was converted into a Christian church at the end of the 4th century. It then contained what was believed to be the head of Saint John the Baptist and was named the Cathedral of Saint John. Other noteworthy mosques are the Sinani-yah, with a striking green-tiled tower, and the Tekkeyah, which was founded in 1516 on the riverbank west of the city as a refuge for poor pilgrims. The National Library, the National Museum , and the University of Damascus (1923) are in the city. Damascus is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. According to 15th-century BC Egyptian inscriptions, Damascus was the capital of a city-state. In 732 BC Damascus was conquered by the Assyrians, under Tiglath-pileser III, and in 333 and 332 BC it fell to Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander in 323 BC, Damascus became part of the Seleucid Kingdom . It was conquered by Pompey the Great in 64 BC. Christianity was introduced into Damascus during the 1st century AD, and the city became the seat of a bishop's diocese. In 635 it was taken by Muslim Arabs, and for a time before the foundation of Baghdad in 762, the city was the residence of the caliphs and was greatly adorned and fortified. In 1076 Damascus was seized by the Seljuk Turks and in 1154 it fell to the Egyptians. Damascus was the headquarters of Saladin, sultan of and , during the Third Crusade. In 1401 the Mongol conqueror Tamerlane pillaged and burned the city. It was soon rebuilt and in 1516 was wrested from by the Ottoman Turks. Damascus was returned to Egyptian rule by Ibrahim Pasha in 1832; in 1841 it was restored to the Ottoman Empire as part of . In 1860, the city witnessed some sectarian fighting between Muslims and Christians, the Ottoman authorities where blamed of doing nothing to stop the fighting. During World War I (1914-1918), Turkish and German troops, directing their operations against the Suez Canal, were based in Damascus . In 1918 the city was captured by combined forces under British Field Marshal Edmund Henry Allenby and the Arab leader who became Faisal I, king of . Faisal later attempted to make Damascus the capital of an independent Arab state, and in March 1920 he was proclaimed king of by a Syrian congress meeting in Damascus . In July the French, who had been granted a mandate over by the Supreme Council of the Allied Powers, occupied Damascus . Between 1925 and 1927, the French were driven out of Damascus twice during the Great Syrian Revolution; each time, they reoccupied the city after heavy bombardments that left large parts of the Old City in ruins and many civilians killed. Following the defeat of by in 1940, during World War II, the pro-German Vichy government of established in Damascus a colonial regime favorable to . In 1941 a combined Allied French and British force attacked and took Damascus, which became the capital of independent in 1946. Population estimates today exceed 3 million people. Aleppo   Aleppo is ’s main city in the North, and the second largest city after Damascus . It has a distance of 370 km from Damascus and 50 km from the Turkish borders. Aleppo has enjoyed throughout history a special privilege being at the crossroads of great ancient trade routes.  It was considered a prosperous metropolitan city since the 3rd millennium B.C. Aleppo is also considered to be one of the oldest inhabited areas in the world. Evidence supporting this fact can be found in the archeological site of Tal Al-Mraebet, an agricultural settlement dating back to the 9th millennium B.C. In the 18th B.C. Aleppo was the capital of an Amorite kingdom. Later it was ruled by the Hittites, Egyptians, and the Assyrians. The Persians invaded Aleppo in the 6th century B.C. and ruled it till it was taken by the Seleucides in the 4th century B.C. During the Hellenistic era, Aleppo thrived as a major hub and a busy commercial city. It continued to prosper under the Romans and the Byzantines before a great calamity befell the city when the Persians conquered the city and burned it to ashes in 540 A.D. Aleppo fell to the Arab rule in 637, and has since become one of the major Islamic cities worldwide, with one of the highest numbers of mosques and religious schools (madrassa).  The glory of Aleppo culminated in the 10th century when the Hamadani dynasty made it their capital city. Many of Aleppo ’s most prestigious cultural heritage dates back to the Hamadani era. However, Aleppo went through a sad decline after the crusades besieged it in the 12th century, followed by a devastating Mongole campaign that left the proud city ruined and burned, and its inhabitants massacred. After that, Aleppo regained its key position slowly and gradually under the Memluks and the Ottomans. The Berlin-Baghdad railway that passed through Aleppo was inaugurated in 1880, and thus, marked Aleppo ’s return to its historic role as a hub and great trade center. Present day Aleppo is a modern and sophisticated city with a population of 3,922,000 inhabitants (in both city and county, 1999 estimates), and the center of industrial, commercial, and agricultural activities that are barely rivaled by those of Damascus . The Museum of Aleppo contains artifacts from the stone ages to modern times, with particularly important collections from the ancient cities of Mari, Ugarit and Ebla . The Museum also displays historic treasures and archeological exhibits from the Greek, Roman, and Islamic periods. Al-Hassakeh Al-Hassakeh is the main city of Al Jazeerah region in northeast , It has a distance of 511 km from Aleppo, and 866 km from Damascus , with a population of 1,079,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. Al Hassakeh dates back to the 3rd millennium B.C being in the heart of the Khabour valley in historic Mesopotamia . During the Islamic empire It became a major stopover for caravans traveling between Baghdad and Al Raqqah. Al Hassakeh is mainly an agricultural region that produces wheat, barley, lentils, and cotton. It also has ’s largest livestock. However, the economy of Al Hassakeh revolves around the oil and gas industries, where all the major oil fields of are located. Al-Quneitra Al-Quneitra is the main city of the Golan Heights, 67 km southwest of Damascus , with a population of 349,000 living in the county (mouhafaza) of Al Quneitra, since the city itself is completely abandoned and uninhabited. Al-Quneitra was a busy and thriving city before the Israelis occupied it in the 1976 war. When the Israelis withdrew from the city in 1974, they systematically destroyed every house and building in the city. decided not to rebuild the city, but to leave it as a reminder of the Israeli occupation of this beautiful city. Al-Quneitra was built by the Byzantines, and served as a major rest station for caravans traveling between and Palestine . Cicassian emigrants settled there in the 20th century, and made of Al-Quneitra their cultural center. By the fifties, Al-Quneitra has become an busy hub, a regional commercial center, and an important military post, with a population of 28,000 inhabitants. AL-Raqqa Al-Raqqa is located in northern , at a distance of 188 km from Aleppo, and 547km from Damascus and , with a population of 635,000 inhabitants in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. Al-Raqqa is situated on the Euphrates river west to its Baliekh confluence. It was built by Nicephorium in 244 B.C. in the Hellenistic age. However, it knew its golden age during the reign of the Abbassid caliph Haroun Al Rachid who made it his summer residence, and built himself a magnificent palace there. The palace was called Quasr al Banat. At that time, Al Raqqa became a metropolitan city that rivals Damascus and Baghdad in splendor and magnificence. The famous Arab astronomer Al Battani (Albatenius) was busy with his observations ther by the end of the 9th century. Al Raqqa was invaded by the Moguls and completely destroyed in 1258. Al-Raqqa has regained its importance in modern day with the launching of works in the Euphrates Dam at Al Tabaqua in 1968, which is considered one of the most important achievements in today. Al-Suweidaa   Al-Suweidaa is the main city of Al Arab mountain in southern ,located at a distance of 128 km south of Damascus , with an elevation of 900m above sea level, and a population of 392,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. Al-Suweidaa was inhabited by prehistoric people, and invaded by the Greeks in 333 B.C., followed by the Arab Nabateans in 88 B.C. and the Romans in the 1st century AD. It has a Roman temple dating back to the 3rd century, and a 5th century Byzantine Basilica. The Museum of Al Suweidaa has a rich collection of mosaics. Al-Suweidaa is an important regional center with mainly agricultural products. Grapes are the main agricultural product, while the main industry is that of carpets. Deir Ez-Zor Deir Ez-Zor is the main city of astern , Deir Ez-Zor  means “monastery of the grove”. It has a distance of 320 km from Aleppo, and 450 km from Damascus , with a population of 1,056,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. It was anciently called Azaura. The Euphrates river divides Deir Ez-Zor into two halves, with five bridges connecting the two river banks. Of these bridges, a certain suspended bridge that was built in 1925 is most renown.  The river strand close to this suspended bridge is called Al Jordaque, and has become a major tourist attraction. Deir Ez-Zor has benefited from the oil industry in Northeastern Syria , with many companied making it their regional headquarters, and has also become a main recreation center for employees of these companies. Most of Deir Ez-Zor houses are stone built and surrounded by their own house gardens. Its museum contains artifacts from neighboring excavations such as Ashara and Tal Birak.   Deraa Deraa is the main city of Houran in southern ,110 km south of Damascus , with a population of 734,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. Deraa was built in the second Millennium B.C. It was mentioned in the old testament as Edrei, and the Arabs used to call it Azraat. The historically significant Yarmouk battle in which the Arabs inflicted a major defeat on the Byzantine armies that led to their conquest of in 1253 was fought in the vicinity of Deraa. The city contains a Greco-Roman amphitheatre with a capacity of 5000 seats dating back to the first century A.D. It also has a mosque that was built in the thirteenth century. Deraa is an important commercial center of Southern Syria . It lies on the road connecting Damascus to Amman . Being the main city of Houran , Deraa has an important role in the distribution and trade of grains (Houran’s main agricultural product). Hama Hama, with an estimated population of 1,494,000 in both the city and its county (mouhafaza) is considered the fourth largest city in (1999 official estimates). Hama’s history is as rich as ever can be, it existed as one of the early prehistoric settlements, and was a major city during the reign of the Arameans, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Macedonians, the Seleucids, the Byzantines, till the Arab conquest in 636 A.D. The Arab Army was led by the famous Arab military leader Ibn Al Jarrah. Hama boasts lots of historic sites and architectural jewels. The Azm palace is a magnificent example of 18th century architecture in , and is used now as a museum. The citadel of Hama contains artifacts dating back to the 5th millennium B.C. More than thirty Khans exist in Hama , of which Khan Asaad Basha, and Khan Rustom Basha are the largest. However, Hama is most famous today for its large waterwheels, which were constructed in the 14th century to raise water from the Orontes river to high ducts supplying drinking and irrigation water. These huge waterwheels (measuring up to 23 meters) supply water to the orchids and gardens flanking the river. Hama is known for its high quality dairy products throughout . Additionally, it is an important agricultural center producing vegetables, cereals, and fruits. New manufacturing industries have been introduced to Hama in the past twenty years, such as the textile industry, cement, iron bars and other metallic industries. Homs Homs is ’s third largest city, with a population of 1,546,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. It is located near the Orontes river, at the middle point of the Syrian steppe 160 km north to Damascus and 185 km south to Aleppo . Homs was built in 2400 B.C. and was called Emesa by the Romans. Priest-Kings ruled Homs throughout the Roman Empire . Homs prides its self for giving Rome two of its Emperors, Elagabalus and Severus Alexander. Homs knew its golden era during the reign of Septimus Sivers (c. 175 A.D.). During his reign, roads were built, mail services were established, and both agriculture and commerce flourished. In 636 A.D. Homs was taken by the Arabs and became a part of the Islamic Empire. A mosque containing the tomb of the great Arab military leader Khaled ibn Al Waleed was erected in 1910. Homs also contains a medieval citadel with foundations dating back to the Byzantine era. Homs is the hub of modern . Most major routes crisscross through Homs . It connects North to South and the interior to the Mediterranean coast. Homs has a modern University (the fourth in ), with an ambitious expansion plan. Homs is also a major agricultural center that produces cotton, wheat, fruits, and vegetables. It is a thriving industrial region with traditional and modern industries. An oil refinery, a fertilizer plant, a chemicals plant, and several pharmaceuticals plants are a few examples of its modern industrial base. Idleb Idleb is the main city of northwestern , 59 km southwest of Aleppo , with a population of 1,353,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. The county of Idleb is one of ’s richest regions in archeological sites and ruins, Ibla (Tal Mardiech) and Bara are just two prominent examples. While the tomb of the great Arab poet-philosopher Abu Al-Alaa Al-Muari is located in Al Maara, a town in Idleb county. Idleb is situated in the heart of one of ’s best agricultural regions. The fertile basin between Aleppo and the coastal line is well known for its olives, sesame, cereals, cotton, grapes, vegetables, and fruits. Textile industries and olive oil pressing are the major manufacturing industries of Idleb. Lattakia Lattakia is the main coastal city and ’s principal port, with a distance of 341 km from Damascus and 186 km from Aleppo . Lattakia has a population of 975,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate. Lattakia was originally known as Ramitha, and was first inhabited by the Assyrians ten thousand years ago. In the Second Millennium B.C. it was incorporated into the Phoenician kingdom of Ugarit . In 304 B.C, Lattakia was rebuilt by Seleucus Nicator and named it Laudicia. In 200 A.D. the Roman king Septimus Severus made it his capital, and built colonnades and memorials in it. In 638 A.D. the Arabs conquered Lattakia with an army led by Oubadda Ibl Al Samit. Most of Lattakia’s historic heritage was destroyed by successive earthquakes. Few remaining ruins include a Roman triumphal arch and Corinthian columns known as the colonnade of Bacchus. The current Museum of Lattakia was an Ottoman Khan that was built in the 19th century. The Grand Mansouri mosque is Lattakia’s oldest mosque, and was built in 1210 A.D. Lattakia is a major agricultural region, comprising some of the most fertile lands in . Almost all Mediterranean crops are produced there: tobacco, cereals, cotton, fruits and vegetables. Many greenhouses and food related industries have flourished in the last decade in the Lattakia countryside. Lattakia’s port is ’s main trading gate to the outer world. While manufacturing industries include electrical appliances, beverages, vegetable-oil processing, and tanning. Tourism plays an important role in Lattakia’s economy. With hundreds of thousands of tourists flooding the region in the summer high season, and moving to the nearby mountainous resorts of Slenfeh and Kasab. Lattakia has the third largest university in , which was founded in 1976. Tartous Tartous is ’s second port on the Mediterranean, 90 km south to  Lattakia. It ranks tenth among 's cities with a total population of 758,000 in both the city and the county (mouhafaza) according to a 1999 official estimate Tartous was founded by the people of Arwad. The Greek called it Antaradus, while the crusaders called it Tortosa. The Byzantine emperor Constantine I had it rebuilt in 346 A.D. The Arabs conquered Tartous during the reign of the Caliph Omar Ibn Al Khattab in 636 A.D., when the governor of Homs , Oubadda Ibn Al Ansary led the army that overtook the city. On occupying Tartous, the Crusaders, converted it into a fortress. One of the major Cathedrals built by the crusaders in the 13th century, is that of Our Lady of Tortosa, which has now become the Museum of Tartous . The Crusaders were driven out from Tartous by the Arabs in 1291. Very few remains are left from the Castle of the Templars which was built in the late 12th century. Tartous has a thriving commercial port, and a large oil refinery complex. It is also a fishing port and the center of a rich agricultural region.