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This first of the three large natural areas of Syria is the smallest and is where population density (more than
75 inhabitants per square kilometer) is the highest. It includes a narrow coastal plain and the Ansariyeh mountain
range. The plain extends from Lattakia in the North to Nahr EI-Kebir in the South, on the Syrian-Lebanese border.
Ras-Shamra, near Lattakia, to the north of this plain, is one of the most important Syrian archeological sites,
and was the most ancient maritime and commercial center in this part of the Mediterranean coast.
The Lattakia (125,000 inh.) harbor, recently modernized, follows this tradition. Southwards of this city, beyond
the North Nahr-EI-Kebir river, lies the plain of Jableh which narrows from Banias to Nahr-EI-Kebir in the south.
The coast, in particular between the Djebel-Aqra and Ras-Shamra in the North, is rocky; from the cape of Ras EI-Bassit
to Ras Ibn-Hani, there are small arched gulfs, one of which Minet EI-Baida sheltered the port of ancient Ugarit.
Small sandy or pebble-covered beaches alternate with rocky caps down to the south of Lattakia. Beyond this point
up to the southern Nahr-EI-Kebir river mouth, lies a long beach of black sand betraying the volcanic origin of
the decomposed rocks.
To the north, the Djebel Aqra reaches toward the sea. Further to the south, the Ansariyeh mountain range goes down
through a series of cliffs where one finds numerous villages. The altitude of this range is rather modest: from
1729 m. at Djebel Aqra, it falls to 1602 m, east of Slenfeh, to 1383 m north of Masyaf, before ending abruptly
at the Homs Gap (or the South Nahr-EI-Kabir gap), at about 600 m. altitude.
The coastal area and the maritime slope of the Mount Ansariyeh enjoy a Mediterranean climate, characterized by
mild but rainy winters and hot summers without rainfall. There is practically no Spring or Autumn.
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