Slinfah

Government

Slinfah (Arabic صلنفة, DMG Ṣalinfa, also Slennfe ) is a small town in the province of Latakia in Syria. It is about 1200 meters high in the north of Jebel Aansariye.

Location

The town is located 50 kilometers east of Latakia on the Aansariye massif just before the end of the Mediterranean sloping, deep Quertals. Halfway coming from the Mediterranean coast mountain road the Saladin ( Qal Salah ed- Din) from the Crusader period and there the only area of the country with pine high forest ( Calabrian pine, Pinus brutia ) happens after the place al - Haffa. In the vicinity there are some valleys in clear remains of coniferous forests or evergreen and deciduous oaks; the thin, little fertile soil layer is littered with boulders of Jurassic limestone. At this height, no more agriculture is possible. The semi-nomadic livestock is insignificant. Five kilometers by road east of Slinfah is with 1542 meters the highest point of Jebel Aansariye. This is followed by about 1000 meters of unarticulated steep drop to the fertile Ghab - plane, which is watered by the Nahr al - Asi ( Orontes ). A side road from the pass requires 20 kilometers down to the confluence with a larger road that leads north to the regional center Jisr ash- Schugur in the valley beside the Orontes channel.

History

The region with a predominantly rural population belongs to the Syrian Altsiedelland and refuge for Ismailis, who immigrated in the 13th century from Salamiyya, and returned there again from the mid-19th century; and for Alawites, who have their settlement focus in the government of Latakia. The general backwardness and virtually non-existent self catering option was moving up in the second half of the 20th century many residents.

Slinfah itself is a creation of new Christians to 1928., The wealthy upper class of Latakia with relations with Lebanon took over from there the habit to retreat during the hot summer months to the heights of Mount Lebanon. So some summer getaways originated in the south of Jebel Aansariyye. Slinfah is the largest of these settlements to the north.

Townscape

From this time a small village has been preserved with some shops. In 1970 it was predicted a further impoverishment and rural exodus to the villages of this mountainous region due to the lack of economic power. Since then, the opposite has occurred. Especially since the turn of the millennium takes place accelerated redevelopment along the road, which is accessible for commuters and holidaymakers in less than an hour's drive Latakia. The center of Slinfah has perished in a vast new area of three - to five -storey blocks with urban character. A large proportion of these are apartments or rented as such. There are at least two hotels. The urban sprawl of the surrounding mountain slopes is enormous. In particular, the nocturnal cooling makes the stay in summer attractive. Contrast, can be expected in the Mediterranean and oceanic mountain climate in winter to well over 20 days with snowfall, which can be left until spring. Many apartments are empty then.