Levant

#Levant

The term Levant refers to a historical and geographical region in the Eastern Mediterranean, with its scope varying slightly depending on context.

What Is the Levant?

The Levant generally includes the following modern countries:

Country Notes

Syria Major historical and cultural center

Lebanon Ancient Phoenician territory

Israel Biblical and modern significance

Palestine Includes the West Bank and Gaza Strip

Jordan Eastern part of historic Palestine

Sometimes: Parts of Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt (Sinai) may be included depending on usage.

Etymology

Levant” comes from the French “levant”, meaning “rising”, as in the rising sun.

Derived from Latin levare, meaning to rise.

European term for “the lands where the sun rises”, i.e., the Eastern Mediterranean.

Historical Context

In Ancient times, it was home to:

The Canaanites, Phoenicians, Arameans, Israelites, and others.

Under Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic Caliphates.

Later ruled by the Ottoman Empire (1516–1918).

After WWI: Divided between British and French mandates (e.g., British Mandate for Palestine, French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon).

The Sykes–Picot Agreement (1916) famously partitioned the region.

Modern Usage

1. Geopolitical Use

Sometimes synonymous with the Eastern Mediterranean.

In conflict studies, “Levant” is used in terms like “Levantine corridor” or “Eastern Levant”.

2. Terrorism Context

Used in the name ISIL: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (another name for ISIS).

Here, “Levant” is used instead of “Syria” to reflect broader territorial ambition.

3. Cultural Context

Refers to a shared Levantine culture: cuisine (hummus, tabbouleh), architecture, music, and language patterns (Levantine Arabic).

Summary

The Levant is a culturally rich, historically pivotal, and politically sensitive region of the Eastern Mediterranean, often encompassing Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, and occasionally adjacent areas.

Would you like maps, historical timelines, or cultural specifics (like food, religion, or language) related to the Levant?

#Syria

#Lebanon

#Israel

#Palestine

#Jordan