| The Arabic Encyclopedia Arabic: الموسوعة العربية | |
| Language: | Arabic |
| Country: | Syria |
| Genre: | Encyclopedia |
| Series: | 24 volumes |
| Pub Date: | 1998: First Edition |
The Arabic Encyclopedia (Arabic: الموسوعة العربية)[1] is an encyclopedia in 24 volumes in Arabic language, published by the government of Syria.
In 1953, the government of Syria proposed the project to the Arab League that adopted a resolution to set up "The Arabic Encyclopedia".[2] Another proposal for an "Arabic Encyclopedia" was submitted to the Arab League in 1961.[3] However, the project was not implemented for unidentified reasons. Syria adopted a resolution to establish the 'Institute of the Arabic Encyclopedia' (IAE) in 1981.[4]
The first edition of the encyclopedia was published in 1998, with this and all further volumes distributed by Dar al-Fikr publishers in Damascus.[5] In 2016, the official website was launched. It allows free online access to all the entries of the encyclopedia. After completion, the comprehensive encyclopedia comprises twenty-two volumes. In addition, there is a special volume of terms in the three languages Arabic, English and French, as well as a special volume for the index.[6]