Folio 03 · Governorates
Syria, governorate by governorate.
Full reference volumes compiled from primary Arabic sources — geography, climate, agriculture, population, history and heritage, chapter by chapter.
Volume I · 24 chapters
Aleppo
A complete 24-chapter reference volume on Aleppo: geography, the northern plains and climate; history through the ages; the city of Aleppo, its Old City, citadel and historic souqs; Jabal Simeon and the ancient villages; Afrin and Jabal al-Kurd; Azaz, Al-Bab, Manbij, Jarablus and Carchemish; Al-Safira, Khanasir and Lake Jabbul; rivers, steppes and reserves; tourist routes; museums, libraries and cultural centres; notable figures; daily life and customs; trade, souqs and traditional industry; historic and modern quarters; arts, music, literature and theatre; and practical visitor information.
Volume VI · 21 chapters
Idlib
A complete 21-chapter reference volume on Idlib governorate: geography, climate and history, Idlib city, the Dead Cities, Jabal Zawiya, Maarrat al-Numan, Ariha, Jisr al-Shughur, Saraqib, Binnish and Taftanaz, Harem and Salqin, Darkush and the Orontes valley, Armanaz and the Rouj plain, springs and natural resources, intangible heritage, tourist routes, suggested itineraries, restaurants and markets, hotels and camping, festivals, and practical visitor information.
Volume VII · 7 chapters
Al-Hasakah
A complete reference volume on Al-Hasakah: geography, the Khabur and Jaghjagh rivers and the Syrian Jazira, the city of Hasakah and the towns of the governorate, the great archaeological tells of Tell Halaf, Tell Brak, Tell Leilan and Urkesh, nature and landscape, cultural, religious and local life, tourism and visitor experiences, and a practical cultural guide.
Volume VIII · 7 chapters
Ar-Raqqa
A complete reference volume on Ar-Raqqa: geography, history and identity along the middle Euphrates; the city of Raqqa and the urban centres of Tabqa, Mansura, Maadan, Sabkha and Ain Issa; archaeology and heritage from Tuttul and Abbasid Rafiqa to Qalaat Jaabar; the Euphrates, the lake and the steppe; society, culture and local life; tourism and visitor experiences; and a practical cultural guide.
Volume V · 15 chapters
As-Suwayda
A complete 15-chapter reference volume on As-Suwayda: geography, basalt landscapes and climate of Jabal al-Arab; history through the ages; the cities of Suwayda, Shahba, Qanawat and Salkhad; reserves, forests and springs; volcanoes and caves; tourist routes and suggested itineraries; restaurants, cafés and popular markets; hotels, guesthouses and camping; festivals and cultural seasons; intangible heritage; and practical visitor information.
Volume III · 15 chapters
Al-Quneitra
A complete 15-chapter reference volume on Al-Quneitra: geography and the Golan plateau, Mount Hermon, valleys and water resources; history through the ages; the city of Quneitra; the towns and villages of the governorate; archaeological sites; monasteries, churches, mosques and shrines; nature, reserves and springs; agriculture and livestock; economy and traditional crafts; the Golani kitchen; dress, customs and folklore; historical and literary figures; the memory of the Golan and its depopulated villages; and a practical visitor guide.
Volume IX · 7 chapters
Lattakia
A complete reference volume on Lattakia: geography, the Mediterranean coast and the coastal mountains; climate, agriculture and administration; history from Ugarit through the Roman, Islamic, Ottoman and modern eras; the city of Lattakia, Jableh, Al-Haffah, Qardaha, Slunfeh and Kasab; archaeology from Ras Shamra to the Saladin Castle; sea, forests, valleys and reserves; society, dialects, music and cuisine; and tourism across every season.
Volume VI · 7 chapters
Hama
A complete 7-chapter reference volume on Hama: geography, the Orontes valley and the norias; the city of Hama, its old quarters, Azm Palace, souqs, khans and bridges; archaeology from Apamea and Qalaat al-Mudiq to Shaizar, Masyaf and Tell Hama; mosques, churches, Ismaili heritage and local shrines; nature across the Ghab plain, the western mountains, Wadi al-Uyun and Jabal Shahshabu; society, crafts, dialect, cuisine and daily life; and a practical visitor guide with routes, food, seasons and responsible travel.
Volume VII · 20 chapters
Homs
A complete 20-chapter reference volume on Homs: geography, the Orontes, Lake Qattinah and the Homs desert; the city of Homs from Emesa to the old quarters, souqs, mosques and churches; Palmyra, its oasis, temples, tombs and caravan trade; the western countryside, Wadi al-Nadara and Krak des Chevaliers; the southern, northern and eastern countrysides with Rastan, Talbiseh, Talkalakh, Al-Qaryatayn and Mahin; archaeology and tells; climate and water; economy, crafts and agriculture; society, family life, dialects, tales and cuisine; tourist routes; historical figures; Homs and Palmyra in world memory and literature; and the governorate's place at the heart of Syria.
Volume IV · 25 chapters
Daraa
A complete 25-chapter reference volume on Daraa: geography of the Hauran plain, basalt plateaus, the Yarmouk valley, climate, water and soils; ancient, modern and contemporary history; the cities and towns of Daraa, Bosra al-Sham, Izra', Nawa, Jasim, Sheikh Miskin, Al-Sanamayn, Inkhel, Al-Hirak, Tafas, Da'el, Muzayrib and Al-Shajara; the Yarmouk valley region; tourist routes and suggested itineraries; restaurants, cafés and popular markets; hotels, guesthouses and camping; festivals and cultural seasons; intangible heritage; and practical visitor information.
Volume XI · 16 chapters
Damascus
A complete 16-chapter reference volume on Damascus: the Old City, its urban fabric and UNESCO World Heritage status; the walls and historic gates; the Citadel; the Umayyad Mosque; Azm Palace; Al-Hamidiyah and Al-Bzouriyah souqs; Khan As'ad Pasha; Straight Street and Midhat Pasha Souk; the Sulaymaniyah Tekiyah; the Hejaz Railway Station; the National Museum; Umayyad Square; and a practical guide to visiting the city.
Volume XII · 7 chapters
Deir ez-Zor
A complete 7-chapter reference volume on Deir ez-Zor: the geography of the middle Euphrates valley, the Shamiya and Jazira banks, river islands, climate and the badia; history from prehistory through the classical and Islamic eras to the Ottoman city, the French Mandate and modern oil-era growth; the city of Deir ez-Zor and the towns of the governorate; the archaeological sites and historic cities including Mari, Dura-Europos, Halabiya-Zalabiya and Al-Rahba; the Euphrates, the Khabur and the steppe; cultural heritage and urban life; tourism and visitor experiences; and a practical guide for visitors.
Volume XIII · 31 chapters
Rif Dimashq
A complete 32-chapter reference volume on Rif Dimashq: location, identity and administrative evolution around the capital; the Eastern Ghouta and its towns — Douma, Harasta, Arbin, Saqba, Zamalka, Ain Terma, Kafr Batna, Hamouriyah, Jisreen and Nashabiyah; the Marj plain, Al-Tall, Qatana, Al-Kiswah, Darayya, Muadamiyat al-Sham, Sahnaya and Saasaa; Mount Hermon, Zabadani and Wadi Barada; the Barada river and the Ghouta through history; castles, forts and defensive sites; monasteries, churches and shrines; archaeological sites; traditional crafts, rural cuisine, dress and social customs; notable figures; and a practical guide to tourism in the governorate.
Volume XIV · 7 chapters
Tartus
A complete 7-chapter reference volume on Tartus: the geography of the Syrian coast, the coastal plain, the mountains, valleys and springs; history and identity; the city of Tartus, Arwad, Baniyas, Safita, Dreikish, Sheikh Badr and Al-Qadmus; archaeology and heritage from Amrit and Arwad to the Marqab Citadel, the Safita Tower and the Crusader cathedral; nature, the sea, beaches, forests and climate; society, dialect, cuisine, seafood, markets, crafts and boat-building; tourism and visitor experiences; and a practical cultural guide for visitors.