Al-Ghantu

Village in Homs, Syria
al-Ghantu
الغنطو
Village
al-Ghantu skyline, 2006
al-Ghantu skyline, 2006
34°49′20″N 36°41′46″E / 34.82222°N 36.69611°E / 34.82222; 36.69611
Country Syria
GovernorateHoms
DistrictAl-Rastan
SubdistrictTalbiseh
Population
 (2004)
 • Total9,412
Time zoneUTC+3 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (EEST)

Al-Ghantoo (Arabic: الغنطو) or al-Ghantu, ALA-LC: al-Ghānṭū: but the original name is spelled: الغُنْثُر/ Al-Ghonthor, which means the land of fountains) is a town in the west of Syria, administratively part of the Homs Governorate, located 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Homs. Nearby towns include Talbisa to the northeast and Taldou further to the northwest. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), al-Ghantu had a population of 9,412 in 2004.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantly Sunni Muslims,[2] many of whom are Turkmens.[3]

Most of its residents work in agriculture, and many farmers specialize in vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, peppers and others. Olive groves have increased annually. There are many places of interest in the village including old Ancient Roman bridges and water mills on the al-Assali River which passes through the west side of the village.[citation needed]

On 11 June 2012, anti-government fighters from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) attacked the small military airbase situated in al-Ghantu, as part of the ongoing 2011-2012 Syrian uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The FSA was quickly repelled by a Syrian Army counterattack, but managed to withdraw with hundreds of looted weapons and ammunition. According to FSA officials, they were able to enter the base after being aided by 22 sympathetic soldiers and officers stationed at the base.[4]

Gallery

  • Cabbage field, 2006
    Cabbage field, 2006
  • Lettuce field, 2009
    Lettuce field, 2009

References

  1. ^ General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Homs Governorate. (in Arabic)
  2. ^ Smith, 1841, p. 176.
  3. ^ مجزرة تسنين – ريف حمص الشمالي / التطهير الطائفي -د. خولة الحديد. Al-Ayyam (in Arabic). 2014-03-03. Archived from the original on 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  4. ^ Holmes, Oliver. Syrian rebels briefly seize air missile base. Reuters. 2012-06-11.

Bibliography

  • Smith, Eli; Robinson, Edward (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the Year 1838. Vol. 3. Crocker and Brewster.

External links

  • Satellite View of al-Ghantoo
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Homs
Subdistrict
Ayn al-Niser
Subdistrict
Furqlus
Subdistrict
Hisyah
Subdistrict
Khirbet Tin Nur
Subdistrict
Mahin
Subdistrict
Qabu
Subdistrict
Qaryatayn
Subdistrict
Riqama
Subdistrict
Sadad
Subdistrict
Shin
Subdistrict
Taldou
Subdistrict
Homs Governorate within Syria
Homs Governorate
Mukharram
Subdistrict
Jubb al-Jarrah
Subdistrict
  • Jubb al-Jarrah
  • Abu Qatur
  • Aliyat al-Alyan
  • Duwayr al-Gharbiyah
  • Duwayr al-Sharqiyah
  • Ghuzayliyah
  • Maksar al-Hisan
  • Masaadah
  • Masudiyah
  • Mughayzil
  • Muntar al-Abal
  • Mushayrifah al-Qibliyah
  • Rasm Humaydah
  • Shiha
  • Taladi
  • Talaqtah
  • Tarfawi
  • Tawil
  • Umm al-Rif (al-Rish)
  • Umm Tuwaynah al-Shamali
  • Usmud
Qusayr
Subdistrict
Rastan
Subdistrict
Talbiseh
Subdistrict
  • Talbiseh
  • Deir Ful
  • al-Farhaniyah
  • al-Ghantu
  • al-Hashimiyah
  • al-Makramiyah
  • al-Qanniyah
  • Saan al-Aswad
  • al-Sabil
  • Tell Jayurin
  • al-Thawrah
  • Umm Sharshuh
  • al-Zaafaraniyah
Tadmur
Subdistrict
Sukhnah
Subdistrict
Talkalakh
Subdistrict
Hadidah
Subdistrict
Hawash
Subdistrict
Nasirah
Subdistrict