Excellent maps Fuchs, although the demographics have changed with one third of Syrians having fled.

With some exceptions we know refugees either take a long time to return, e.g. Afghanistan or they to date have not, such as Western Sahara (Polisario), Palestine and Tibet.

Having found the next item I think a title change is due So the thread will become 'The background to Syria, history, people and more'.

An interesting short explanation of Syria, with masses of links and videos to watch:http://thehowardbealeshow.tumblr.com...and-country-of