Bilad al-Sham (Greater Syria)

Bilad al-Sham, or Greater Syria, is a historical region in the Middle East encompassing modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and parts of Israel. It has been a culturally and politically interconnected area for centuries, serving as a crossroads of trade, empires, and civilizations. The term highlights a shared history and often a common identity among its peoples, despite current national borders. Historically, it was a significant center for, among other things, early Christianity, trade routes, and Ottoman administration. Today, the concept underscores the region's deep, intertwined heritage beyond contemporary political divisions.