Tadmur
| Tadmur تدمر | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Tadmur | |
| Coordinates: 34°33′36″N 38°16′2″E / 34.56000°N 38.26722°E | |
| Country |
 Syria |
| Governorate | Homs |
| District | Tadmur |
| Subdistrict | Tadmur |
| Elevation | 405 m (1,329 ft) |
| Population (2004 census)[1] | |
| • Total | 51,323 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Area code(s) | 31 |
Tadmur (Arabic: تدمر; also spelled, Tadmor, Tudmur; ancient Palmyra) is a city in central Syria, administratively part of the Homs Governorate. It is located in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian Desert 215 km northeast of Damascus[2] and 180 km southwest of the Euphrates. The ancient ruins of Palmyra are situated about 500 meters southwest of Tadmur.[3] Although relatively isolated, the nearest localities include Arak to the east, al-Sukhnah further to the northeast, Tiyas to the west and al-Qaryatayn to the southwest. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Tadmur had a population of 51,323 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants were recorded to be Sunni Muslims in 1838.[4]
Economy
Tadmur is the modern settlement of the ancient city of Palmyra, which developed adjacently to the north of the ancient ruins.[5] The modern city is built along a grid pattern. Quwatli Street is the main road and runs east-west, starting from the Saahat al-Ra'is Square on the western edge of the town.[3] The city currently serves as a base for tourists visiting the ruins.[5] It has a museum in the southwestern part of the city.[3] Syria holds an annual cultural festival in Tadmur celebrating the city's ancient heritage.[6] The Palmyra Airport is also located in Tadmur.
Tadmur also serves as a center for Syria's phosphate mining and natural gas industries.[5] The first phosphate mine run by the government was established near Tadmur and started production in 1971.[7] Work to connect Tadmur's phosphate mines to the port of Tartus began in 1978.[8] In 1986 Soviet surveyors discovered large iron ore deposits in the vicinity of Tadmur.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Homs Governorate. (Arabic)
- ↑ Syria uncovers 'largest church' BBC News Online, 14 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Carter, p. 205.
- ↑ Smith, 1841, p. 174.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Knowles, 2006.
- ↑ Cavendish, p. 439.
- ↑ Federal Research Division, p. 169.
- ↑ Federal Research Division, p. 194.
- ↑ Federal Research Division, p. 170.
Bibliography
- Carter, Terry (2008). Syria and Lebanon 3. Lonely Planet. ISBN 1741046092.
- Smith, Eli; Robinson, Edward (1841). 'Helfaya&source=gbs_navlinks_s Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the Year 1838 3. Crocker and Brewster.
