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Arwad –
general view
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Geography:
Arwad has a
unique site on the Syria coast because it's the only in habited island and the
biggest rocky mass in front of the coast (the islands of Al habees-Abu Ali –
Al makhroot – Al namel). It is situated on the 35 longitude and 34 latitude,
It occupies a stretch of / 740 m / long, and / 400 m / wide, and an area of /
20 / hectare, while the inhabited area is / 13.5 / hectare.www.tartoos.com
It is like a
kidney which is arched on the west side. In the north, it's narrow head is
like irregular cone, and the highest point of the island is / 14 m /. The
island is / 6 m / above the sea level. Most of its edges are rocky affected by
the marine abrasion. This gave it a beautiful and tourist view. Its port is on
the east-north side. There is a bleak rock called Arwad's daughter. Once, it
is separated from it by the marine abrasion or depression, and
Water
overwhelms it during the waves' rise.www.tartoos.com
Soil and Plants:
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Arwad is poor
in plants because it is a small floating rock. It is affected by the marine
wind, and built-up. It, almost, has no soil, is very brininess, and little
fresh water which is not enough to the needs of people. Consequently, it pays
no attention to agriculture despite the existence of some bushes in some
nursling which are planted in the vases. This indicates clearly to the ability
of planting restricted parts in the future as gardens, and in the buildings'
yards which adds some beauty to the island.
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The
Climate:-
Arwad enjoys
the climate of eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Its climate is moderate,
lovely and moist because of the sea surrounding it, and its position on the
line 34 latitude.
The rain falls
in winter. The temperature is / 27 C / in August, / 7 C / in winter, and it
reaches / 0 C / rarely. The humidity is very intense (about 60% rises to
80-85%, and never goes below 53%). various kinds wind blow on it.www.tartoos.com
The
Arwads named it some local names. They are
- Alsholok: A
dry south –east wind
- Alsharsh: A
quiet, lovely north-west wind.
- Sea breeze: A
wind at tempering cold and heat.
- Kublai: A
wind blow from the south.
- Tahtani: A
local northern wind.
- Brani: A
seasonal south-west wind lasts about 40 days.
- Albogaz: A
southern wind.
- Alkobrosli: A
strong western wind.
The average of
rainfall's days exceeds / 90/ days. And the average rainfall is about / 700 mm
/ on the island.
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Transportations:
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Arwad is
connected the world by sea, and to Tartous by a regular marine lane.
This lane
consists of boats connect the island's port with Tartous's old port (the Roman
port). It is 5km far. Lately, a small port for the boats was built. It is 3km
far. It was a small quay. Oftentimes, the passenger was transported to the
boats by a desk which is carried by two persons. The trip lasts between 25-30
minutes by normal boats.
www.tartoos.com
The distance
can be shortened by building a quay for the mechanical and sailing boats from
the tourist coast, south of Tartous, which opposites the island .Transport is
done on feet on the island. And it is the only way for transportation because
of the smallness and narrowness of the passages. And this doesn't prevent the
usage of tourist bikes for transporting tourists on the cornice when it is
executed in the future around the island. Also, a small airport can be built
for planes / helicopters /.
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Buildings:
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Arwad contains
a pretty good number of old and ruined buildings which are built of sandstone.
Their roofs are of brick and interlaced. They are more than 20-25%.Because of
the rise in population density. Its people tend to restore and rebuild the
fallen buildings by using the cement because it is easy for work, the
unavailability of brick, and workers. But some aisles and areas can be widened
by drawing up a systematic design, and removing the out of the way buildings
gradually in order of the abilities.
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The General Buildings:www.tartoos.com
Arwad contains
a number of general buildings such as the city hall , the coast guard , two
schools , a mosque , the citadel mosque , a small mosque , a power plant , a
drinking – water reservoir , a modern infirmary , and a phone house.
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-Water:
Because water is the source of
life, the story of civilization, the story of long conflict and confrontation
between man and nature, and because Arwad was empty of springs and depended on
collecting the rain in reservoirs engraved in the rock though it was not
enough for the people's needs, the arwads had excelled in overcoming this
problem, and showed unusual skill when they discovered jets of fresh water in
the sea bed between the island and the coast. These jets are 7-10m deep. They
used it, and took the water by a reversed lead bell which was hung over the
spring and connected with fictile, leather, or brass pipe which reached the
surface or the island where it poured water in a reservoir. This is called the
reverse funnel. It is the oldest way of digging water out of the sea. In
the1950s, the authorities dug an artesian well (250m deep) to provide water.
The well had got a great reputation, and its water was exported because it was
mineral. Soon, it drained. A second well was dug, and a high reservoir was
built. The problem of distributing water to the houses was solved temporarily.
Now, water is brought to Tartous and Arwad from Al-sin River. www.tartoos.com
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