A short history of Syria, in maps
The most influential people, groups and events that shaped Syria’s role in the Middle East
SYRIA WAS once a thriving hub of diverse merchant cities. During the Islamic Golden Age (from the eighth to the 13th centuries) the region that is modern-day Syria made notable contributions to the arts and sciences. Its strategic location on the Mediterranean has long drawn interest from, and encouraged meddling by, foreign powers. Our seven maps below illustrate how Syria became a country and the forces that have made it so unstable.
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