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2.5: Culture

  • Page ID
    151316

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    Learning Objectives

    In this section, you will:

    • learn about the four countries of the Levant, their famous cities, most famous historical places, and their traditional food and clothes.

    The Levant

    The Levant consists of four Arab countries, which are Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine.

    The map of Levant Countries (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine) in the Middle east in Green and the rest of the map is grey.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The Map of Levant Countries in the Middle East. (SpLoT, CC)

    Countries of the Levant

    This table will introduce you to the four countries of the Levant with their capital cities:
    The Country Name in English The Country Name in Arabic The Name of the Capital in English The Name of the Capital in Arabic Flag
    Syria

    سورية

    Souria

    Damascus

    دمشق

    Dimashq

    top to bottom: red stripe, white stripe with two green stars, black stripe
    Syria
    Lebanon

    لبنان

    Lubnan

    Beirut

    بيروت

    Bayroot

    red stripes on top and bottom, center white with green cedar tree
    Lebanon
    Jordan

    الأردن

    Al Urdon

    Amman

    عمّان

    Amman

    stripes top to bottom - black, white, green; overlay on left of large red triangle with white star
    Jordan
    Palestine

    فلسطين

    Filasteen

    Jerusalem

    القدس

    Al Quds

    stripes top to bottom - black, white, green; overlay on left of  small red triangle
    Palestine

    Countries and Famous Cities

    Syria (Syrian Arab Republic)

    The Syrian Arab Republic is an Arab country located in west Asia. It borders Turkey to the north, Lebanon and Palestine to the south-west, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Jordan to the south, and Iraq to the east.

    Population: 17.5 million (2020 estimate).

    Capital: Damascus.

    Currency: Syrian Pounds (SYP).

    Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic.

    Map of Syria and the surrounding countries
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Map of Syria. (Copyright; Rightmeow2, via source)
    This table shows the major cities in Syria:
    City Name City Name in Arabic Pronunciation Image
    Damascus دمشق Dimashq
    ""
    Damascus; CC BY 4.0 by Vyacheslav Argenberg
    Aleppo حلب Halab
    ""
    Aleppo; CC BY 2.0
    Homs حمص Hims
    ""
    Homs; public domain
    Hama حماة Hama
    ""
    Hama; CC BY 4.0 by Vyacheslav Argenberg
    Latakia اللاذقيّة Al Lathikiya
    ""
    Latakia; CC BY-SA 3.0
    Deir Ez Zour دير الزور Deir Ez Zour
    ""
    Deir Ez Zour; CC BY-SA 4.0

    Lebanon (Republic of Lebanon)

    The Republic of Lebanon is an Arab country located in west Asia. It borders Syria to the north and east, Palestine to the south,and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.

    Population: 6.825 million (2020 estimate).

    Capital: Beirut.

    Currency: Lebanese Pounds (LBP).

    Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic.

    Grey Orthographic Global map with Lebanon map projection
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Lebanon Orthographic Map. (Ssolbergj; Licensed SA)
    This table shows the major cities in Lebanon:
    City Name City Name in Arabic Pronunciation Image
    Beirut بيروت Bayroot
    ""
    Beirut; CC BY-SA 3.0
    Jounieh جونية Jounieh
    ""
    Jounieh; CC BY-SA 4.0
    Zahle زحلة Zahle
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Zahle; public domain
    Tripoli طرابلس Trablos
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Tripoli; public domain
    Byblos جبيل Jubeil
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Byblos; CC BY-SA 4.0
    Baalbek بعلبك Baalbak
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Baalbek; CC BY-SA 2.0

    Jordan (Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)

    The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an Arab country located in west Asia. It borders Syria to the north, Palestine to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and south-east, and Iraq to the north-east.

    Population: 10.2 million (2020 estimate).

    Capital: Amman.

    Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD).

    Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic.

    Grey Global Map shows the location of Jordan map in green.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Jordan Orthographic M (Rob984; Licensed SA)
    This table shows the major cities in Jordan:
    City Name City Name in Arabic Pronunciation Image
    Amman عمّان Amman
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Amman; CC BY 4.0
    As Salt السلط As Salt
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    As Salt; public domain
    Irbid إربد Irbed
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Irbid; CC BY-SA 4.0
    Al Mafraq المفرق Al Mafraq
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Al Mafraq; CC BY-SA 3.0
    Aqaba العقبة Al Aqaba
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Aqaba; public domain
    Madaba مأدبا Ma'daba
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Madaba; CC BY-SA 4.0

    Palestine (State of Palestine)

    The State of Palestine is an Arab country located in west Asia. It borders Lebanon to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Egypt to the south-west, Jordan to the east, and Syria to the north-east.

    Population: 4.803 million (2020 estimate).

    Capital: Jerusalem.

    Currency: Palestine Pounds, Jordanian Dinar (JOD), Egyptian Pounds (EGP), and New Shekel (ILS).

    Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): This figure presents the major cities of Palestine. GNU general public license
    This table shows the major cities in Palestine:
    City Name City Name in Arabic Pronunciation Image
    Jerusalem القدس Al Quds
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Jerusalem; CC BY-SA 4.0
    Gaza غزّة Ghazza
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Gaza; public domain
    Nablus نابلس Nablus
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Nablus; CC BY-SA 1.0
    Khan Yunis خان يونس Khan Yunis
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Khan Yunis; CC BY-SA 4.0
    Bethlehem بيت لحم Beit Lahm
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Bethlehem; CC BY-SA 3.0
    Ramallah رام الله Ramallah
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Ramallah; CC BY-SA 3.0

    Famous Historical Places

    Syria

    The video below presents a tour around Syria's capital city Damascus:

    Umayyad Mosque - Damascus

    The Umayyad Mosque (Al-Masjed Al-Umawi - المسجد الأموي) is located in the old city of Damascus. The site of the Umayyad Mosque has been a spot for worship since the Iron Age. During the age of the Aramaean State, it was a temple dedicated to the god of thunderstorms and rain Hadad-Ramman. After the Roman Empire conquered Damascus in 64 BCE, they assimilated Hadad-Ramman with their god of thunder Jupiter, and thus the temple became the Temple of Jupiter. In 391, the temple was converted into a cathedral by the Christian Emperor Theodosius. With the arrival of Islam during the Umayyad period, the Byzantine cathedral was still used by local Christians, but a prayer room (Musalla - مصلّى) was built for Muslims in the southeastern part of the building. Since the prayer room could not accommodate the increasing number of Muslims, the 6th Umayyad Caliph decided to construct a congregational mosque on the site of the cathedral in 706. It was completed in 715 after his death. It remains a Muslim mosque until the present day and is one of most famous touristic attractions in Damascus.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): The Umayyad Mosque.CC BY 4.0 by Vyacheslav Argenberg licensed CC BY 4.0

    The Citadel of Aleppo - Aleppo

    The Citadel of Aleppo (Qaleit Halab - قلعة حلب) is a castle located in the old city of Aleppo, northern Syria. It was built in the 3rd millennium BC. It witnessed many civilizations over time including the Armenians, the Greeks, the Byzantines, the Ayyubids, the Mamlouks, and the Ottomans. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Aleppo.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\): The Citadel of Aleppo. CC BY 2.0

    Norias of Hama - Hama

    The Norias of Hama (Nawaeer Hama - نواعير حماه) are a series of 17 historic water-raising machines for irrigation, along the Orontes River in the city of Hama, Syria. It is thought that the norias date back to the late 12th century CE.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\): The Norias of Hama. CC BY-SA 4.0

    Lebanon

    The video below presents a tour around Lebanon:

    Roman Baths - Beirut

    The Roman Baths (Al-Hammamat Al-Romanieh - الحمّامات الرومانيّة) is an ancient bath site in the Roman city of Berytus. The Roman bathhouse was a meeting place for all citizens. Roman Berytus had 4 bath complexes, the first of which was built in the 1st century. In 551 AD, the Berytus earthquake happened and destroyed the baths. Today, one of the baths is used for as a concert site.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\): Roman Baths. CC BY-SA 3.0

    Byblos Citadel - Byblos

    Byblos Citadel (Qalaat Jubail - قلعة جبيل) was built in the 12th century by the Crusaders. It was built from local limestones and the remains of Roman buildings. It is one of Byblos's most famous touristic attractions.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\): Byblos Citadel. CC BY-SA 3.0

    Temple of Jupiter - Baalbek

    The Temple of Jupiter (Maabad Jupiter - معبد جوبيتر) was a Roman temple located in the temple complex of Baalbek, Lebanon. It was the biggest temple dedicated to Jupiter all around the Roman Empire. It took about three centuries to make, between 16 BC and AD 60.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{11}\): Temple of Jupiter. CC BY 4.0 by Vyacheslav Argenberg

    Jordan

    The video below presents a tour around Jordan:

    Roman Theater - Amman

    Amman's Roman Theater (Al-Mudarraj Al-Romani - المدرّج الروماني) is an amphitheater located in the eastern part of Amman, Jordan. It dates back to the 2nd century and consists of about 6,000 seats.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\): Roman Theater. CC BY-SA 4.0

    Petra - Southern Jordan

    Petra (Al-Batraa - البتراء) is a historical and archeological city in the south of Jordan. It is believed that Petra was built around 312 BC. It is located about 150 miles south of both Jerusalem and Amman, the capital of Jordan, and about midway between Damascus, Syria, and the Red Sea, making it ideally suited as a hub of commerce in the area. It was thus established as a trading post by the Nabateans, who are an indigenous Bedouin tribe in Jordan.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\): Petra. CC BY 2.0

    Rum Valley - Southern Jordan

    Rum Valley (Wadi Rum - وادي رَم), also known as Valley of the Moon, is the largest valley in Jordan and is cut into granite rock and sandstone. It has been inhabited by various cultures since prehistoric times, one of which was the Nabataeans who left behind petroglyphs, inscriptions, and temple.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{14}\): Rum Valley. CC BY-SA 2.0

    Palestine

    The video below presents a drone tour around one of Palestine's most famous cities Gaza:

    Al Aqsa Mosque - Jerusalem

    Al Aqsa Mosque (Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa - المسجد الأقصى) is an Islamic shrine located in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was build in 691-692 CE during the Umayyad period, situated on top of the site of the Second Jewish Temple, which in turn was built around 516 BCE to replace the destroyed Solomon's Temple. The last was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. Al Aqsa Mosque is the oldest surviving work of Islamic architecture.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{15}\): Al Aqsa Mosque. GNU Free Documentation License

    Monastery of Temptation - Jericho

    The Monastery of Temptation (Deir al-Quruntul - دير القرنطل) is a Greek Orthodox monastery located near Jericho, Palestine. It is where Jesus is said to have been tempted by the devil during his 40 days of fasting. It now serves as a tourist attraction.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{16}\): Monastery of Temptation. CC BY-SA 3.0

    Khan Al Umdan - Acre

    The Inn of the Columns (Khan Al Umdan - خان العمدان) is the best preserved Khan in Acre. It was built during the Ottoman Era and consists of forty colums made from granite. It was considered an important trading spot due to its proximity to the port. It now serves as a prominent tourist attraction in Acre.

    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{17}\): Khan Al Umdan. CC BY-SA 3.0

    Traditional Food and Clothes

    Traditional Food

    The Levant countries are famous for their tasty dishes all over the world. Many dishes are found in common between all four Levantine countries with little to no difference in ingredients, but the names sometimes vary from one country to another.

    This table presents the most famous traditional dishes in the countries of the Levant:
    Region Video
    Traditional food in Syria
    Traditional food in Lebanon
    Traditional food in Jordan
    Traditional food in Palestine
    This table presents how to make some of the most famous traditional food in the Levantine countries:
    Food in English Food in Arabic Recipe Image
    Shawarma (Chicken) شاورما (دجاج)
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Shawarma; CC BY-SA 3.0
    Hummus حمّص
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Hummus by Beyrouthhh; CC BY 3.0
    Kibbeh كبّة
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Kibbeh; CC BY-SA 3.0
    Tabbouleh تبّولة
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpgTabbouleh; Pixabay License

    Traditional Clothes

    In each of the Levantine countries, there are different traditional clothes that come as a result of different cultures and religious backgrounds of the different areas. This is why there is no single traditional clothing that we can call characteristic of the whole country. Traditional clothing is usually used in religious ceremonies, weddings, and/or other occasions, but is rarely, if at all, used in everyday life.

    This table presents the most famous traditional clothes of the Levantine countries:
    Country Clothes
    Traditional Clothing in Syria
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Syria; CC BY 2.0
    Traditional Clothing in Lebanon
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Lebanon; public domain
    Traditional Clothing in Jordan
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Jordan; CC BY-SA 3.0
    Traditional Clothing in Palestine
    fig-ch01_patchfile_01.jpg
    Palestine; CC BY-SA 3.0

    Activities

    Query \(\PageIndex{6.1}\)

    Put the name of the country under the correct flag:

    Query \(\PageIndex{6.2}\)
    Query \(\PageIndex{6.3}\)

    Put the name of the city in the correct column:

    Query \(\PageIndex{6.4}\)
    Activity

    You plan to travel with your family to Levant Countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria) during summer break. Use Google Earth to show your family the famous cities, and historical landmarks that you would like to visit.