SYRIA

independent state, Asia (31° not yet defined; on N. is Asia Minor; tine; W., Mediterranean Sea. Surface generally is elevated; the Lebanon (Dahr mountain ranges, between which lay Coele-Syria, extend along Mediterranean coast; EK. of these is a plateau which slopes gradually downwards to the eastern desert; in S. is fertile Hauran; chief river is Orontes, now Nahr el-Asi. Damascus is the principal town. Climate is Mediterranean. Cereals, linseed, grapes and olives are grown; sheep and goats are raised; exports silk, cereals, fruit, olive oil. From Aleppo the Bagdad Ry. line runs south through Damascus, with branches to coast at Tripoli and Beirut. Inhabitants are mostly Mohammedans; near Mt. Lebanon is a sect of Christians called Maronites. Aleppo and Beirut continue to flourish, but Tyre and Sidon have sunk into obscurity. Syria belonged partly to Egyptians, partly to Hittites, about middle of 2nd powerful a few centuries later, and a kingdom was founded by the Hebrews; country came succe ively under the domination of As syria, Babylonia, Persia, Macedon, the Seleucids, Rome, Byzantium, and the Arabs; it was taken by Turks in 1516. Napoleon’s barren invasion of 1799 was followed by an Egyptian occupation, 1831-41; considerable international rivalry for Syrian sympathies continued throughout 19th cent.; Damascus ma acre of 1860 led to Fr. interference; Circa ian colonies were planted by Abdul Hamid in 1879 to restrain nomad Arabs; railway construction began in 1886; Ger. emperor’s visit took place in 1898; during Balkan wars Arab clubs formed to push separatist policy; under treaty of peace with Turkey, 1920, Syria is recognized as independent state under Fr. mandate. Election of Emir Feisal, s. of King of Hejaz, as King of Syria not recognized by Allied powers (see PauEstInE also for War connection). Area, c. 106,740