Interesting Facts about Syria

Did You Know?

17 curious facts about Syria.

• Syria is part of an area known as the Levant, which also includes Lebanon. Levant means “rising” in French, and refers to the sunrise, because these countries are east of the Mediterranean. The word came into use during the 1920s and 1930s, when the French ruled Syria and Lebanon.
• Lake Al Assad is an artificial lake created by the Tabaqah Dam. Syria has two natural lakes: Arram, which fills the crater of an extinct volcano, and Mzerib.
• In the 3rd century A.D., the powerful Queen Zenobia of Palmyra ruled Syria after the death of her husband the king. Her armies controlled all of Syria and some of the surrounding area. The Romans fought against her and eventually defeated her. She was taken to Rome where she ended her days..
• When a Muslim person dies, he or she must be buried within 24 hours, dressed only in a shroud.