Homs, Industrial city in central Syria
Homs is a big city in central Syria that spreads along the Orontes valley at an elevation of 511 meters (1,677 feet), covering residential, commercial, and industrial districts. The center sits between older quarters with low-rise buildings and newer outer zones with larger apartment blocks.
The settlement began around 2300 BCE and grew into the Roman city of Emesa, which gained importance under Emperor Caracalla in the 3rd century CE. Control shifted between Byzantine, Arab, and Ottoman rulers over the following centuries, until it became part of modern Syria in the 20th century.
The souk area shows traders selling textiles and spices in narrow lanes that wind through the old center. Shops open in the morning and close by late afternoon, while locals come here for everyday purchases.
Several highways pass through and connect it to the coast and inland regions, while the train station carries services to different parts of the country. Visitors should expect warm days in summer and mild winters with occasional rain.
Lake Qattina nearby relies on a dam system built in the second millennium BCE that still supplies water to surrounding fields today. This ancient installation shows how early communities managed water scarcity in dry regions.
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