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Syria, Jordan & Lebanon

Syria, Jordan & Lebanon. Objective: To examine the history, culture, and current-day situation of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Background:. Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon all border Israel- all have been involved in conflicts

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Syria, Jordan & Lebanon

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  1. Syria, Jordan & Lebanon Objective: To examine the history, culture, and current-day situation of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

  2. Background: • Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon all border Israel- all have been involved in conflicts • Capital of Syria= Damascus- is possibly the oldest inhabited city on the world • For centuries it was a center of trade (under Roman Empire)- becomes part of the Ottoman Empire 1500 • After WWI France controlled Syria • 1940s becomes independent

  3. History & Government: • 1971-2000 Led by dictator Hafiz al-Assad • As Pres. He increases size of military • Wants to match Israel’s military strength & protect his rule from political enemies • 2000 Assad dies- his son Bashar al-Assad elected Pres. • He had goals of improving economy • Syria has a socialist govt. (owns countries oil refineries, large electrical plants, railroads and some factories)

  4. Syria’s People & Economy: • Pop. More than 18 million- 90% Arab • Other 10 % are Kurds and Armenians • 74% of Syrians are Sunni Muslims • 16 % are Druze and Alawite sects (small branches of Islam) • Other: • 10 % are Christian • Some small Jewish communities • Economy: • Key manufactured goods: textiles, foods products, & chemicals) • Importance of agriculture (only small oil & natural gas) • Iron ore, Basalt, & phosphates

  5. “The UN Has Failed on Syria?” • 12 March 2012 Last updated at 11:14 ET • British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said the UN Security Council has ''failed'' in the eyes of most of the world in its responsibilities to the people of Syria. • Mr Hague, who was chairing a UN debate on the Middle East in New York, said it was time for the Security Council to ''show unity and to show leadership''. • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17341335http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17347708

  6. Lebanon: Is a small mountainous country on Med. Coast home to several groups of people

  7. Lebanon’s History & People: • Under Ottoman Empire many religious & ethnic minority groups • After WWI France controlled Syria and Lebanon • Same as Syria gain indep. 1940s • Some aspects of Fr. Culture influence Lebanese culture • Lebanese speak Arabic and some speak French • People are Arab but divided by religion (Most are Muslim or Christian) & each have small divisions within • Muslims: Sunni, Shia, and Druze * Muslims are the largest group • Maronites = largest Christian group

  8. Lebanon’s Civil War Today: • Decades after indep. Christian and Muslims are sharing power • Before- different positions held by different groups • Pres. Was a Maronite • Tensions increase • Added to tension of thousands of Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon • Ethnic and religious groups armed themselves (1970s fighting broke out) • Wars last til 1990; thousands die • Capital of Beirut was badly damaged & finally rebuilding today • During 1990s Lebanese economy slowly recovered from Civil War • Today industries include: Food processing, textiles, cement, chemicals, and jewelry making

  9. Jordan: has a short history with lots of conflict

  10. Jordan: History & Govt. • Jordan created after WWI • Brit controlled & name Arab prince as monarch • 1940 gain indep. Small population • Most people nomadic/ semi-nomadic • 100s of thousands of refugees flee Israel to live in Jordan • 1952-1999 ruled by King Hussein some demo. reform 1990s

  11. People & Resources: • Many of Jordan’s pple are Bedouins (Arabic-speaking Nomads who mostly live in the deserts of SW Asia) • Jordan produces phosphates, cement, and potash • Tourism and banking are important industries • Jordan depends on economic aid from oil-rich Arab nations & US • Amman- capital = Jordan’s largest city • Jordanian farmers grow fruits and vegetables & raise sheep and goats • Shortage of water- crucial resource issue for Jordan

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