Maten Al Sahel

Maten Al Sahel is a small village in Syria 280 km north-west of Damascus, near the Mediterranean coast.

Geography

Maten AlSahel is situated on the top of mountain about 300 m above the level of the sea and looks down upon the coastal lands from the western side of the town with a wonderful view. The distance from the Tartous-Lattakia highway is 4 km and it is a sort of difficult mountainous road between olive tree fields. The village is surrounded by green valleys, and there are many roads across these valleys and mountains that are suitable for sport activities such as walking and cycling especially in the spring.

Getting there

From Damascus International Airport to Almaten travelers can rent one of the private cars in the village which specialize in airport services or take the bus.

Prices

*Taxi's fee from Damascus Airport to the Bus Station: $15
*Bus Ticket from Damascus to Tartous (300 km, 3hours) by Al-Kadmous Company: $3
*Car from Tartous to Almaten: $3
*Private mini-bus directly from Damascus Airport to Maten alsahel (with town's private cars): $60
*Private mini-bus for a daily trip: from $65

Demographics and services

The area around Al-Maten is known to have been settled since the 18th century. Total population of Al-Maten is about 3,500. The educational level in Al-Maten is extremely high as the percentage of the illiteracy among the new generation is almost 0%, and the most of population are holding high degrees. Al-Maten has all the requirements of modern life such as electrical networks, phones, mobile coverage, health center, and a developing transport system including two buses and many private cars and mini-buses.

Economy

The main industries in Al-Maten are: agriculture, government, and immigration. Agriculture is the traditional job in Al-Maten. More than 90% of the population depends on it as the main source of income. Tomatoes in green houses and olive oil are the most important crops produced in Almaten.

Climate

The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with hot, dry summers (maximum temperature 36 °C) and cool, variably rainy winters (minimum temperature 0 °C).

Tourist activities

One can visit Al-Maten at any time of the year, however, activities vary by the season.

Spring: During March, April and May one can enjoy the cool and nice weather to cycle or walk through the mountains and valleys and see scenery of green fields and countryside. Al-Maten has big celebrations for Easter and a Mass on Good Friday.

Summer: Swimming is available in summer. Al-Maten also has a festival every year. On August 15, Al-Maten celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Winter: Traditional olive season and celebration of Christmas and New Year.

Nearby destinations

Al-Maten is a short trip from the following destinations. There are many luxury mini-buses which provide service to these areas.

*Ras Shamra (Ugarit): Dating to the 14th century BC, it is now believed that Ugaritic is the most ancient alphabet in the world. Clay tablets in several languages were found there. Located 100 km north of Al-Maten.

*Salah ud-Din Castle: First built by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Crusaders who were powerless to stop Salah ud-Din taking it. Located 110 km north of Al-Maten.

*National Museum in Lattakia, 90 km north of Al-Maten.

*Tartous: An old city where the first human occupation of this site dates back more than 6000 years. Among the most important archeological and historical monuments: Amrit (16th century B.C), the museum, and Arwad Island.

*Marqab Castle: Striking even from a distance for its huge size and somber, brooding appearance. Built from black basalt rock, it is one of the most impressive Crusader castles after Crac des Chevaliers. It has 14 towers in addition to the keep (donjon). It was one of the last Crusaders strongholds, liberated by the Mamelukes Sultan Qalauon in 1285. It is 30 km north of Al-Maten.

*Saladin Castle (Sahyoun): This castle was recognized as a masterpiece of military architecture, and defended by the Knights Hospitaller, it was considered impregnable. During the 14th century it was still in good order, a powerful citadel controlling one of the passages between the sea and the Orontes valley and an advance defense port for Antioch. Near the entrance there is a stairway on the outside of the tower which leads up to a rampart walk and to the upper level of the castle. The layout of the whole citadel can be grasped from there. This citadel—the Byzantine Sahyoun, the Frankish Castle of Saone and the Arab qaalat now dedicated to Saladin—played its part in Syria's history under three different and competing authorities, over three successive centuries. Located 110 km south of Al-Maten.

External links

* [http://www.almaten.com Al-Maten Official Site]