Syria History

Syria is rich in culture and history. Firstly it was a part of the Empire of Mesopotamia. Later the southern part of Syria was controlled by Egypt, while the northern principalities were invaded by the Mediterranean Sea peoples. After the division of the Roman Empire Syria became a province of the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire. From the 7th century the country was part of the Muslim world. Later the territory of Syria had fallen under the rule of the Ottoman Turks. Before Syria was granted full independence in 1946, it suffered many difficulties, such as Napoleon’s campaign, the Egyptian invasion, occupation by the French. As a result of strong influence of Nasser’s revolution in Egypt on the Syrians, the country soon joined Egypt in forming the United Arab Republic. But it was not for a long time. In 1961 the Syrian Arab Republic was proclaimed. The base of Syrian economy is oil, which provides two-thirds of Syrian export earnings.