Bassir
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Bassir بصير |
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| Coordinates: 33°03′39.28″N 36°14′00.43″E / 33.0609111°N 36.2334528°E | |
| Grid position | 265/274 PAL |
| Country |
 Syria
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| Governorate | Daraa Governorate |
| District | Al-Sanamayn District |
| Nahiyah | Al-Sanamayn |
| Elevation | 630 m (2,070 ft) |
| Population (2004 census) | |
| • Total | 1,442 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
Bassir (Arabic: بصير) is a village in Hauran, located 630 meters (0.4 miles) above sea level and 51 kilometers (32 mi) southern of Damascus in Syria. Bassir is bordered from the east by Lejah, from the south by Khabab, from the west by Al-Sanamayn and from the north by Jebab. It is situated in the middle of three main cities in Syria: Damascus, Daraa and As-Suwayda.
The word Bassir comes from the word "Pethera" that means in Greek "high" or "elevated" being situated in a relatively high location.
Bassir was built as a military base for Roman forces in order to aid the military regiments scattered in the adjacent region. This region is a rocky area, consisting of volcano and lava stones and is known as "Lajah". Bassir was also a pit stop for caravans traveling between Babylon and Palestine.
In 1596 Bassir appeared in the Ottoman tax registers as Busayr al-Kubra and was part of the nahiya of Bani Kilab in the Qada of Hauran. It had an entirely Muslim population consisting of 4 households and 3 bachelors. Taxes were paid on wheat, barley, summer crops, goats and beehives.
People from this area are known to be part of the Ghassanid Christians tribes that immigrated in the early 3rd century CE from Yemen to Hauran in southern Syria and established the kingdom of the Ghassanids.
The population is about 3000, but unlike other neighboring villages, Bassir has a very low birth rate and significantly declined through the years. Many people originally from Bassir live in Damascus but yet own homes in the village. As in many other areas of Syria during the time of Ottoman Empire and due to the lack of resources, a notable number of civilians were immigrated to South America including Brazil and Argentina. Other people also were immigrated to adjacent countries i.e. Lebanon and currently live in Beqaa Valley and Alcoura region near Tripoli.
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