Travel Tips

Posts Tagged ‘Syria’

There is something about being an incredibly historical place that can easily overwhelm someone. Walking the streets where people walked millenia ago is really out of this world. Syria is one of the oldest places in the world, with its capital, Damascus, regarded as possibly the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Located in Western Asia, Syria borders Isreal, Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea. If you are thinking of traveling to Syria or any other country in the near future, be sure you have a passport. If you currently have a damaged U.S. passport, you can go online to get it replaced.

When you use online passport services you save yourself tons of stress. Not only are the applications available 24/7, but you also save yourself the hassle of having to stand in line! You will also have the option of applying for services such as expedited passport renewal and much more, so regardless of your needs…online is the way to go!

There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Syria. One of these sites, as you can imagine, is Damascus. The Walls and Gates of Damascus are one of the most historical things to see in Damascus. The Ommayad Mosque is another place to see. Built in 705 B.C., it still serves today as one of the most grand mosques in all of the world. Located next to the Ommayad Mosque is The Azem Palace, which is an example of homes in Damascus. The plain outside holds an incredibly intricate inside fit for royalty.

Another World Heritage Site is Bosra. This city used to thrive with over 80,000 people living there! Today, its not quite the same. If you would like to visit this location you will probably want to check out the second century Roman theater. Also, there are tons of different churches, mosques, and monuments that are all throughout the city.

Palmyra is a city that used to serve as an important caravan city for people traveling through the desert. Located in an oasis, this city has many interesting sights to check out. One of them is Ba’al, a temple that is regarded as one of the most historical religious buildings in the world. The temple of Nabu is another place to see while browsing the Falmyra ruins, along with an ancient theatre.

Aleppo, another UNESCO World Heritage Site is competing with Damascus as the world’s oldest continually inhabited city. Because it is still a thriving city, Aleppo has more of a variety of things to do as opposed to the archaeological ruins. There are plenty of famous Hammans to explore in Aleppo, including Hammam Yalbugha, Hammam Al-Nahhaseen and Hammam Bab Al-Ahmar. The largest park in Syria, The Public Park of Aleppo, is a beautifully verdant area where a river flows through. If you need a break from the city, head to this spot for a relaxing picnic. Around Aleppo are 700 more archeological sites, referred to as the Dead Cities.

There is much to do in Syria, especially if you’re interested in archaeology or history. Just be sure to have your passports before you go. Remember that if you currently have a damaged passport, you can go online to apply for replacements or expedited American passport renewal.

As a day when Syrians celebrate the strength of the Syrian character, Correction Movement day is one of the most important in the calendar.

Correction Movement History

Syria is located at the eastern side of the Mediterranean and borders Turkey to the North, Jordan to the South. It also borders Lebanon and Iraq.Syria has a very dry and hot climate, and winters are very mild with very little snowfall.

The main sources of income for Syria are the oil, agriculture and tourist industries. Syria’s economy has been held back somewhat by high rates of unemployment – linked, among other things, to a high population growth rate. These problems date back to the inaugruation of Syria’s government.

In 1516, Syria fell to the Ottoman Turks and remained a part of their empire for many centuries.The period saw great economic, social and artistic decline. The country regained independence from the Ottoman empire in 1918 after the Arab armies overthrew the Turks.

Taking King Faisal I as its ruler, in 1918 Syria became an independent state. France and Britain however, had other ideas. As such the ‘Sykes-Picot’ agreement was signed, which lead to the Middle East being carved up into different ’spheres of influence’. In essence this divided much of the Arab world between the French and British. Syria was part of France’s sphere of influence.

The Mandate with France was opposed in a revolution in 1925. Battles in Damascas and the Jabal al-Arab region took place.There was much damage done in an attempt for the Syrians to re-gain control. In 1936, France conceded and gave up partial power to the Syrians. However, French troops still occupied the country. During WWII, French and British troops occupied Syria, who both promised independence at the end of the war.

Partly beacuse of lack of full control in the area by the French, many invasions occured during that period – as well as the inevitable wars and destruction. The Syrian government was eventually overthrown by the people; an attempt to regain some order in Syria. The correction movement that followed brought more stability to the country and was initiated by Hafez-al-Assad.Hafez al-Assad was the defence minister at the time, but was elected president in 1971. His vision for the country started to get the nation ready to fight for its occupied land, and he gained control of the Parliament. Because this movement helped Syria re-gain control of its its country, it is observed as Correction Movement Day, a day of pride and hope.

Customs and Activities of Syrian Corretion Movement day

The festival is marked with a festival that includes a lot of music – especially singing.

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