Artouz
|
Artouz عرطوز |
|
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Artouz
|
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| Coordinates: 34°01′N 36°43′E / 34.017°N 36.717°ECoordinates: 34°01′N 36°43′E / 34.017°N 36.717°E | |
| Country |
 Syria
|
| Governorate | Rif Dimashq Governorate |
| District | Qatana District |
| Nahiyah | Qatana |
| Population (2004 census) | |
| • Total | 16,199 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+3) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+2) |
Artouz (Arabic: عرطوز) is a town situated 15 km to the southwest of Damascus, Syria. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, the town had a population of 16,199 in the 2004 census.
Evidence of the town's history is scarce. However, there are historical references to a town in approximately the same location as Artouz during the Assyrian empire. There is also a Roman canal that is still in use to this day to irrigate nearby farms.
Artouz may also be the location of the New Testament story of the disciples on the road to Damascus. The place where Jesus appeared is commemorated by a temple now, which Pope John Paul II visited during his visit to Syria in 2000. Most of the farms were owned by few rich families from Damascus during the Ottoman and French periods. The land was redistributed during the presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Artouz is 15 km south west of Damascus, 6 km east of Qatana. It lies on the main road between Damascus and the Golan Heights. The Awaj river passes through the town and splits into three branches.
Artouze has a twin town only 2 km north called Jdeidat Artouz. Expansion of the two towns has erased the green spaces between them.
Artouz has great military importance, with many army detachments nearby.
Until the 1980s, the economy of Artouz depended largely on agriculture. Olives, wheat and garlic were the main agricultural products. However, with the expansion of Damascus, Artouz developed a fast-growing construction and service economy, which is now the main source of employment for its population.
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Wikipedia