Global - Technology - Review

Syria has had a turbulent recent history of conflict with Israel and Lebanon, as well as a poor record on human rights. Neither is it scenically beautiful, consisting mainly of arid plains. Nevertheless, situated in the ‘cradle of civilisation’, with important links to the early histories of Christianity and Islam, as well as because of its associations with the Roman and Ottoman Empires, it is a nation full of architectural treasures, with a rich tradition of art and literature. Damascus, the capital, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It was on the road to Damascus that St Paul was converted. The Old City, some of its walls and gates still intact, is a World Heritage site. The Grand Mosque is one of Islam’s holiest places. Another very ancient city, and another Heritage site, is Aleppo. Nearby is Tel Qaramel, the world’s oldest human settlement. Bosra has a well-preserved Roman Theatre and the world’s oldest mosque. Palmyra’s extensive ruins include the huge Hellenistic temple of Ba’al. From a later era comes the enormous eleventh century crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers, according to Lawrence of Arabia ‘the best preserved castle in the world.’