Madaya, Syria
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Madaya (Arabic: مضايا) is a small mountainous town in Syria, located at an altitude of 1,400 meters.[2] It is a well known holiday resort.[3] It is located about 40 km northwest of Damascus in the Rif Dimashq Governorate and is home to Lake Barada. Madaya often is snow-top during the winter months especially on January and February. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Madaya had a population of 9,371 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantly Sunni Muslims.[4]
Madaya مضايا | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Country |  Syria |
| Governorate | Rif Dimashq Governorate |
| District | Al-Zabadani District |
| Nahiyah | Madaya |
| Elevation | 1,608 m (5,276 ft) |
| Population (2004 census)[1] | |
| • Total | 9,371 |
Description
It is famous for its pure natural spring water, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy climate. Dry and cool in the summer, Madaya until recently had attracted wealthy Syrians many of which have summer mansions in the town. It also has a large market (souq) known for its European-made goods, such as sportswear and electronics, which makes visiting it quite an appealing experience for tourists.
History
No reliable data about the town′s foundation is available.
Since July 2015, the town was reported to be besieged by a combination of Syrian forces loyal to the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and the allied Lebanese militia Hezbollah.[5] The United Nations had last provided humanitarian aid to Madaya in late October 2015.[6]
In early January 2016, the town became an object of a global da campaign waged by the Syrian opposition.[7] The Assad government in agreement with the joint statement on January 7th, 2016 by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, has called for aid to reenter the besieged town.[8]
On 7 January 2016, the United Nations said the Syrian government had allowed access to the town for humanitarian aid.[9]
References
- ^ a b General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Rif Dimashq Governorate. Template:Ar icon
- ^ "Madaya, Syria Page". Retrieved 2007-09-15.
- ^ "Northern Syria". Retrieved 2007-09-15.
- ^ Smith, 1841, p. 146.
- ^ Madaya: Syria allows aid to reach city facing starvation, says U.N.
- ^ UN and partners deliver critical relief supplies to besieged areas of Syria
- ^ Dozens die of hunger in besieged Syrian town FT, 8 January 2015.
- ^ http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/join-statement-hard-reach-and-besieged-communities-syria-enar
- ^ U.N. says Syrian government allows access to besieged Madaya
Bibliography
- Smith, Eli; Robinson, Edward (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the Year 1838. Vol. 3. Crocker and Brewster.