10 Surprising Facts About Syria

The place did actually exist before it started making headlines

1. People have been living there longer than almost anywhere else

James Gordon / Via talkingsyria.com

The Syrian capital of Damascus is one of the oldest-continually inhabited cities in the world - it was founded in the third millennium BC. That makes it twice as old as London, and more of an ancient city than Rome or Istanbul. Bab Sharqi, the ancient 'Gate of the Sun', still exists today.

2. Syria was part of the Roman Empire

Talking Syria

The ruins of Roman-style streets are still there. Back in the first century AD, the desert city of Palmyra was one of the most bustling cultural centres of the ancient world. And then there is Bosra, which sports a theatre from its days as capital of Roman Arabia. Unfortunately, many of these archaeological gems have been damaged during the war.

3. The country was home to some kick-ass queens

Zenobia. Image: Sylvia Beth Yakub via Creative Commons / Via Flickr: arnasia

Take Zenobia, queen of the Palmyrene Empire in the third century AD. Known as the 'warrior queen', she conquered Egypt, and parts of Palestine, Turkey and Lebanon as well as Syria. A century later, the nomad Mavia led a successful rebellion against Roman rule. A more up-to-date feminist icon is Naziq al-Abid (1898-1959), who founded Damascus' first women's organisation and the Syrian Red Crescent society.

Syrian women who have contributed to our blog include a doctor, a musician and a basketball player.

5. Glass was invented by Syrians

Glass craftsman in Damascus, 2010. Image: Talking Syria

OK, quite a few different people may have discovered glass. But according to 100 Greatest Science Inventions of All Time, the breakthrough invention of glass blowing was a Syrian one:

Glass blowing has remained a Syrian craft up until today.

6. Syrians helped develop the ice-cream

Magnus Halsnes via Creative Commons / Via Flickr: magh

Ice-cream has a long association with Arab culture - the word sorbet is believed to have come from the Arabic word charab. A Syrian-American is credited with popularising the ice-cream cone.

The 129-year-old ice-cream parlour Bakdash in Damascus is famous for its pounded pistachio dishes. It is one of many regional recipes, including savoury snacks.

Of course, these days many Syrians don't have the luxury of treats. The World Food Programme was recently forced to suspend a food stamps programme for Syrian refugees because of a lack of funding.

7. Basketball is a popular Syrian sport

Salah Hamwi / Via talkingsyria.com

Syrians went crazy for the 2010 World Cup. But before the war, basketball was also gaining ground. Talented Syrian players attended intensive training camps, and played alongside US professionals like Damond Williams. Even now, Syrian kids are still joining basketball clubs.

8. Refugees used to move TO Syria

UNHCR / Via data.unhcr.org

In the early 20th century, Armenians fleeing Ottoman persecution settled in Aleppo, Damascus and other towns. Syria is also home to more than 400,000 Palestinian refugees . In 2007, Syria took in more than a million Iraqi refugees.

In the past four years, more than three million Syrians have been forced in turn to become refugees. Our blog includes stories from Syrians who fled to Lebanon, Turkey and those who were turned back at the border.

9. And Syrian expats have shaped the modern world

tenz1225 via Creative Commons / Via Flickr: tenz1225

US comedian Jerry Seinfeld's maternal grandparents emigrated from Aleppo, Syria. Apple founder Steve Jobs' biological father was a Syrian. Other prominent Americans with Syrian roots include Desperate Housewives' Teri Hatcher and singer Paula Abdul.

As well as the US, there are longstanding Syrian communities in Brazil, Sweden and the United Kingdom. At Qisetna: Talking Syria, our largest readership outside Syria comes from the UK, the US, Turkey, Brazil and the Gulf states.

10. Despite these ties, wealthy countries have turned their back on Syrian refugees

Zaatari Refugee Camp, Jordan. Image: Bidna Capoeira via Creative Commons / Via Flickr: bidnacapoeira

The six Gulf countries - Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain - have offered zero resettlement places to Syrian refugees. Excluding Sweden and Germany, EU countries have pledged just 5,105 resettlement places. Syrian asylum seekers are trapped at border crossings like Calais.

In fact, 95% of Syrian refugees are in just five countries - Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

This doesn't mean individuals can't help. In fact, the UN just renewed its appeal for donations . If you're an ice-cream lover, feminist, ancient history buff, basketball player or just appreciate having glass windows, why not give today?