"كتيّب سوريا (بما في ذلك فلسطين). لندن: إدارة استخبارات الأركان البحرية، يونيو ١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎١‎٨‎٨] (٧٣٨/٣٨١)

370 LEBANON, ANTI-LEBANON, DAMASCUS PLAIN
mountain system runs for approximately 105 miles on a
NNE. and SSW. axis, with an average width of 25 miles and
covers an area of about 2,500 sq. miles. The whole territory
is under the vilayet of Damascus, with the exception of the
small strip at Hermil, which is in the province of Lebanon,
and of Merj ‘Ayun which is in the vilayet of Beirut.
The most northern part of the central depression is adminis
tered by the kaza of Homs in the sanjaq of Hama. South
ward it comes in succession under the kazas of Ba‘albek,
Biqa £ , and Hasbeya, all in the sanjaq of Damascus. Still
farther south the Merj ‘Ayun, under the kaza of the same
name, is in the sanjaq of Beirut. On the west side of the
Orontes, near where the kazas of Ba‘albek and Biqa‘ meet,
the nahiyeh of Hermil is enclaved.
The mountain tract in its northern part comes under the
kaza of Homs. In succession southward it is under the kazas
of Nebk, W. el-‘Ajam, Duma, and Damascus. The western
slopes of Hermon are under the kazas of Rasheya and
Hasbeya; the eastern extremity of Hermon, including
Baniyas, is under the kaza of Quneiterah, in the sanjaq of
Damascus.
Physical Features
The Central Depression .—The great valley plain between
the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges, known in antiquity as
Coelesyria, marks the northern extension of the Ghdr or
Jordanic line of erosion. Lying at an average altitude of
2,500 ft., it stretches for about 100 miles on a NE.-SW.
axis. The middle section is spread out in a wide, fertile and
well cultivated plain. Northward it is gradually constricted
by the spreading base of the maritime range, and becomes
in a large measure infertile, but finally merges into the rich
Homs plateau near the latitude of Quseir. In conformity
with the distinctive character of the mountains, the southern
part retains its fertility but is also reduced in width by
the great base of Hermon. Besides, it is here divided by the
intermediary range of J. edh-Dhahr, a low limestone ridge