Caravanserail, Syria

The Syrian Arab Republic (185 000km2), is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. The population of Syria (21 million) is 74% Sunni Muslim, 16% Alawites, Ismailis & Twelvers, 10% Christian & Druze. Syria attained independence in April 1946, as a parliamentary republic. 2010-The covered souks of Aleppo, extending over 10 km, they intersect and intertwine in a large network of businesses that constitute the "medina", some parts dating from the 13th century but most date from the 15th and 16th centuries. In the souks area, old caravanserai are founded, they were used to house the merchants on the move and to store their goods, they are characterized by their high entries in an arc. (Photo by Eric-Paul-Pierre PASQUIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)