Homs region, 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-Krack des Chevaliers (Qala'at al-Hosn), is the most famous Middle Age's fortress of the world dated from the 12th century, situated 650m above sea level and. The Krac des Chevaliers controls the strategic passage of the "Homs Gap" on the Orontes, now, the one who holds this pass controls Syria because it isolates the back country of its coastline. This name comes from the Syriac "Kerak". (Photo by Eric-Paul-Pierre PASQUIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)