This region forms a link between all Syrian governorates and considered as an important agricultural and industrial center. It is distinguished by its old history and special position when a Syrian family from this region managed to rule in Rome through many emperors and important people. All these things made the important poet " Juvenal " say: " the Orontes river flows into the Tiber ". The oldest irrigation means were invented and still used on its banks. The water wheels ( Norias ) are still running and sending their everlasting moaning.

Palmyra:
Palmyra city stands as a symbol for its Arab Queen " Zenobia ", who was an example of the ambitious woman. She stood against the greatness and mightiness of Rome. Today, Palmyra is famous for its temples, walls and toms. It is surrounded by green oasis of olive, palm and pomegranate trees and looks like a mirage in a mid vast desert. Brilliant Palmyra is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Arab Jazirah and it was an important meeting point on the Silk Road.

Crack Des Chevaliers:
It is the most famous castle of the middle ages. It stands proudly on a volcanic crater and overlooks the fertile plains, Homs and Latakia mountains. This castle tells the story of two centuries of bloody and wild struggle between the Arabs & the Franks, which ended by liberating it in 1271 by the sultan Al Zaher Baybars who rebuilt its ruined parts and added many others.

Afamia ( Apamea ):
It was built in the fourth century B.C. by Seleucus Necator who named it after his wife, Afamia. Many famous people visited this city like Antonio and Cleopatra and Hannibal. A philosophical school of modern Platonic approach was established in it. The Romans rebuilt it, so, the Persian and Roman civilizations were wonderfully mingled in it. It was a commercial center were trade caravans used to meet & pass. It was then destroyed by two severe earthquakes. You can see a wall surrounding its beautiful ruins such as high columns, old houses and big churches dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., in addition to a splendid amphitheatre, its museum has a lot of extraordinary mosaic panels. Shaizar citadel, dating back to the 13th C., stands proudly over the nearby hill.