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Syria - An
Ancient Pearl
Syria played an incomparable role in the history of mankind. It is often
described as the Cradle of Civilizations, since many of the greatest human achievements
that later spread to encompass the world had their beginnings in Ancient Syria, (which
extends from Taurus Mountains to Sinai and from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates).
In this land, Man discovered the secrets of Agriculture and Metallurgy, and invented the
very first alphabet. Religions, Philosophies, language of trade, systems of urban
development, of diplomatic and cultural exchange; all these germinated in geographical
Syria.
It has been rightly said,
"Therefore, that every cultured man belongs to two nations: his own and
Syria." Historian Andre Parrot.
The Heart of The Arab World
Syria was an Arab Kingdom long before the Arabs achieved glory with the coming of Islam,
and has long been the home of Arab Nationalism. Before becoming, under the
Omayyads, the
capital of the Muslim World had for fifteen centuries spoken and written a language which
consists of modern Arabic. Today Damascus prides herself, together with Aleppo and Hama,
on being the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Such roots give the
country stability. Moreover, they lend her her important qualities, a certain wisdom in
the face of current events no matter how dramatic, and a respect for all people.
The visitor from abroad, struck by the wholly Arab context of Syrian life, baffled by its
novelty perhaps, at first, is soon entranced both by the hospitality, kindliness and
friendliness of a people both masters in their own house and masters of themselves as
well. Syria, so much a linguistically, historically, and politically, is a country of
great natural diversity. This contrast between cultural unity and varied landscape is
ideal for tourism. The visitor to Syria can follow an unbroken thread on the human
level, in the arts and in folklore, while at the same time enjoying a constant change of
scene which makes even the longest journey interesting. . |
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