Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan Chapter 18 Section 4 Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan

Syria Capital: Climate Geography Damascus Mostly desert Oldest continuously inhabited city in world Climate Mostly desert Geography Narrow coastal plain Double mountain belt in west Large desert plateau in east

Damascus Euphrates river

Golan heights

Syria Leading regional trade center Mandate of France after World War I Mandate: former territories of defeated nations placed under control of the winning countries after the war Gained independence in 1941

Politics 1971-2000 2000 Hafiz al-Assad lead government Increased size of military Goal to match Israel’s strength 2000 Bashar al-Assad elected present Took over after father’s death

government Republic under authoritarian regime Independence Day Political power concentrated on an individual Not responsible to the people Non-democratic Military dominated Independence Day April 17, 1946

Economy Government owned Manufactured goods Agriculture important Oil refineries Large electrical plants Railroads Manufactured goods Textiles Food products Chemicals Agriculture important

Economy Small deposits of oil Other important natural resources Basalts- dark fine grained rock from volcanoes used in floor tiles and asphalt Limestone- sedimentary rock used in building and road making Phosphates- used in fertilizer

People 17 million people 90% Arab 10% Kurds and Armenians Religion 74% Sunni Muslim 16% Alawites and Druze Small branches of Islam 10% Christian Small Jewish communities in some cities

Lebanon Small mountainous On Mediterranean coast Capitol: Beirut Climate: Mediterranean

History Many religious and ethnic groups during Ottoman Empire After World War I became a French Mandate with Syria Gained independence in January 1, 1944

Beirut Coast of Lebanon

People Population mostly Arab Divided into several religious groups Muslim Sunni, Shia, Druze (Middle Eastern religious sect) Christian Maronites Eastern rite of the Catholic Church At the time of independence Slightly more Christian Now more Muslim

Civil war After Independence Muslim and Christians shared power Government positions carefully designated to each group Shia- the poorest group, grew rapidly Designation in government did not Tension grew between groups

Civil war Palestine refugees migrated to Lebanon Ethnic and religious groups armed themselves Fighting broke out in 1970’s Fighting lasted until 1990 Tens of thousands of people died Beruit was badly damaged

Economy 1990’s the economy began to strengthen Oil refining pick up It was brought to Lebanon by a pipeline Food processing Textiles Cement Chemical Jewelry making Farming Tobacco Grains Vegetables

Jordan Capitol: Amman Population Israel and the Dead Sea on the West. 6.4 million people Israel and the Dead Sea on the West. Syria to the north Arid hills and mountains make up Jordan Climate: mostly desert with rainy season in the west

History Known as Transjordan until 1949 After World War I it was a British Mandate British established Prince Abdullah as the monarch He helped English in WWI Became fully independent in May 25, 1946

Amman, Jordan Amman Temple ruins

History West Bank At independence After creation of Israel and war of 1946 Jordan annexed the West Bank At independence Population small Nomadic or seminomadic West Bank wall from Jerusalem

West bank 1947 1967 Six Day War Population of West Bank West Bank was Jordananian territory 1967 Six Day War After Arab-Israeli war the West Bank was under Israeli occupation Population of West Bank Palestinian West bank

HIstory At independence population of Jordan Small Nomadic or seminomadic After Israeli wars in 1948 and 1967 Hundreds of thousand Palestinian refugees migrated to Jordan

History Migration of refugees Palestinian Refugees 1967 Strained resources Cultural division between Palestinian “original” Jordanian Arabs Palestinian Refugees 1967

History 1952-1999 Ruled by King Hussin Considered best ruler in the region Popularity allowed democratic reforms Resulted in fewer conflicts.

Economy Limited resources Depend on oil rich Arab nations for aid Phosphates Cement Potash Salts that contain the water soluble form of potassium Depend on oil rich Arab nations for aid

Resources Farmers Raise fruits and vegetables on Jordan river Highland areas Wheat Sheep and goats important source of income Overgrazing causes erosion Lack of water an issue