Deir Atiyah
|
Deir Atiyah ديرعطية |
|
|---|---|
 Deir Atiyah
|
|
| Coordinates: 34°05′N 36°46′E / 34.083°N 36.767°ECoordinates: 34°05′N 36°46′E / 34.083°N 36.767°E | |
| Country |
 Syria
|
| Governorate | Rif Dimashq Governorate |
| District | An-Nabek District |
| Nahiyah | Deir Atiyah |
| Elevation | 1,250 m (4,100 ft) |
| Population (2004 census) | |
| • Total | 10,984 |
Deir Atiyah or Dayr Atiyah (Arabic: ديرعطية), is a city in Syria, located between the Qalamoun Mountains and the Eastern Lebanon Mountains Series, 88 kilometres (55 mi) north of the capital Damascus and on the road to the city of Homs. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Deir Atiyah had a population of 10,984 in the 2004 census. Its inhabitants are predominantly Muslims .
Deir Atiyah enjoys a moderate climate in summer and cold in the winter as it is located at an altitude of 1,250 metres (4,100 ft) above sea level.
The proximity to a desert region, where the average rainfall does not exceed more than 125 millimetres (4.9 in) annually, means that environmental conditions, including poor soil, does not provide adequate resources to economically sustain the local population. Hence locals travel or emigrate. Many locals emigrated to the Americas in the early 20th Century, and to the Persian Gulf countries after the emergence of job opportunities there, and to Eastern Asia.
Farmers cultivate grapes, apricots, cherries, figs and other fruits.
Deir Atiyah benefits from groundwater located in its valley.
Deir Atiyah has a number of windmills (sometimes referred to as Air Wheels). The power generated by the windmills is used to pump water from deep wells. The origins of the windmills are not known, but they are reported to be a major source of power to pump water for agriculture for more than a hundred years.
Deir Atiyah has a museum, a sports center and cultural center.
In 2003, the first private university in Syria, University of Kalamoon, was opened in Deir Atiyah.
People in Deir Atiyah consume a hot drink called Mate, which Syrian expatriates brought and introduced from South America. The invitation "Come and drink Mate" is typical of this region's hospitality. The invitation implies not only the sharing of a drink, but also a meal.
...
Wikipedia