Alma, Syria Explained

Official Name:Alma
Native Name:Arabic: علما
Other Name:Elmah
Pushpin Map:Syria
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Governorate
Subdivision Name1:Daraa
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Daraa
Subdivision Type3:Subdistrict
Subdivision Name3:Khirbet Ghazaleh
Settlement Type:Town
Unit Pref:Metric
Population As Of:2004
Population Total:6,297
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Timezone Dst:EEST
Utc Offset Dst:+3
Coordinates:32.7333°N 50°W
Grid Position:267/240

Alma or Elmah (Arabic: علما) is a village in the Daraa District of the Daraa Governorate, Syria. According to the 2004 census, the population was estimated at 6,297 people.[1]

It is located near Khirbet Ghazaleh and belongs to a sub-district of a same name.

History

Alma is identified with the ancient Jewish village of Helam or Alema (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Αλαμα), a place in Gilead mentioned in 1 Maccabees.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. https://archive.today/20130112170422/http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB12-3-2004.htm Population and Housing Census 2004
  2. 1 Maccabees, 5:26
  3. Avi-Yonah . Michael . 1976 . Gazetteer of Roman Palestine . Qedem . 5 . 64 . 0333-5844.