12 Interesting Facts About Syria

Home to diverse religious and ethnic groups and situated in the heart of the Middle East in Southwest Asia, Syria is currently facing its biggest turmoil in the form of Civil War. Besides being a war-torn country, Syria has many other aspects to be explored. Here are some interesting and lesser known facts about Syria:

syria
image: ronpaul.com

1. Oldest Habitation!

damascus-city

Damascus City (also known as Jasmine City), the capital of Syria, is one of the oldest continuously lived-in cities in the world.
source: telegraph.co.uk, image: arounddeglobe.com

2. The story of 2 stars in Syria’s flag!

syria-flag

The two stars in the Syrian flag symbolize the previous union between Egypt and Syria.
source: wikipedia, image: syriaflag.facts.co

3. Shouting Valley!

shouting-valley

There is a strategically important plateau- Golan Heights that overlooks 4 countries- Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Syria. The Golan Heights has also been a bone of contention between Syria and Israel since 1973. The valley has gained its name- The Shouting Valley because the separated families of these 4 countries often gather on each side and shout across to communicate with their families.
source: aljazeera.com, image: thezeppelin.org

4. When a Pope visited a mosque in Syria!

pope-visit-syrian-mosque

In May 2001, Pope John Paul II visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus city of Syria and became the first Pope ever to visit a mosque.
source: syriatoday.ca, image: syriatoday.ca

5. Invaded by a many!

Syria has a long chronology of invasion. It was 1st invaded by the Egyptians in 1500 B.C., followed by Hebrews, Assyrians and Persians. After that, it became a part of the Roman Empire, followed by the Ottoman Empire. France was given control over Syria after the World War I.
source: easyscienceforkids.com

6. When Syria got its Independence!

syria-independence-day

Syria remained a part of the Ottoman Empire for 4 centuries and after that came under French mandate in 1920. It got its independence from France on 17 April 1946.
source: nationalgeographic.com, image: deviantart.net

7. Unique Steel of Damascus

damascus-steel-knives

The capital city of SyriaDamascus is famous for its steel worldwide. The unique patterns in the Damascus Steel, make it quite alluring. Damascus Steel is mostly used for making knives, swords and other such weapons.
source: wikipedia, image: pinimg.com

8. Ruled by the Minorities!

syria-ethnic-composition

There are about 90% Muslims in Syria (mostly Sunni), however, the Alawite Minority (comprising 12% of total population) is politically dominant. Syria has been ruled by The Alawite-controlled Baath (Renaissance) Party since 1963.
source: nationalgeographic.com, image: geocurrents.info

9. The Bible Connection!

road-to-damascus

According to the Bible, it was on the road to Damascus, that St Paul was converted to Christianity when he was dazzled by a heavenly light.
source: theguardian.com, image: freebibleimages.org

10. Mysterious Political Suicides!

In 2000, Mahmoud Zuabi (the then Prime Minister of Syria) shot himself when police arrived to arrest him on corruption charges and in 2005, Ghazi Kanaan (the then Interior Minister of Syria) also shot himself in mysterious circumstances.
source: theguardian.com

11. First murder on the earth!

cain-slaying-abel

Do you know where the first murder on the earth took place? It was in Syria! According to sources, son of Adam and EveCain killed his brother- Abel on Mount Qasioun, near Damascus.
source: wikipedia, image: leewoof.files.wordpress.com

12. Syrian Civil War

syrian-civil-war

Syria has been under the grip of a brutal Civil War since the 2011 Arab Spring which was escalated after the government of Bashar al-Assad violently repressed protests calling for his removal. At present, the war is being fought between various factions- the Syrian Government, The Democratic Forces, a loose alliance of Syrian Arab rebel groups, Salafi Jihadist groups and the Islamic State of Iraq and The Levant (ISIL). The human rights violations are so severe that thousands have died, 10 million (almost half of the population of Syria) have been displaced and almost 4 million have become refugees.
source: wikipedia, image: mapsofworld.com