This
city is located on the Syrian coast, 55 km to the south of Latakia.
It was an ancient Phoenician seaport. The Greeks called it Balemia.
It was famous for its orchards and its export of wood. Today it is better
known for its oil refinery. It still contains citrus fruit orchards
surrounded by green hills. On one of the hills is the imposing al-Marqab
Citadel, a huge fortress of black basalt stone. |