Al-Ghantu

Al-Ghantoo (Arabic: الغنطو‎) or al-Ghantu, ALA-LC: al-Ghānṭū: but the original name is spelled: الغُنْثُر/ Al-Ghonthor, which means the land of fountains) is a town in the west of Syria, administratively part of the Homs Governorate, located 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Homs. Nearby towns include Talbisa to the northeast and Taldou further to the northwest. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), al-Ghantu had a population of 9,412 in 2004.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantly Sunni Muslims,[2]

al-Ghantu

الغنطو
Village
al-Ghantu skyline, 2006
al-Ghantu
Location in Syria
Coordinates: 34°49′20″N 36°41′46″E
Country Syria
GovernorateHoms
DistrictAl-Rastan
SubdistrictTalbiseh
Population
 (2004)
 • Total9,412
Time zoneUTC+3 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (EEST)

Most of its residents work in agriculture, and many farmers specialize in vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, peppers and others. Olive groves have increased annually. There are many places of interest in the village including old Ancient Roman bridges and water mills on the al-Assali River which passes through the west side of the village.

On 11 June 2012, anti-government fighters from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) attacked the small military airbase situated in al-Ghantu, as part of the ongoing 2011-2012 Syrian uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The FSA was quickly repelled by a Syrian Army counterattack, but managed to withdraw with hundreds of looted weapons and ammunition. According to FSA officials, they were able to enter the base after being aided by 22 sympathetic soldiers and officers stationed at the base.[3]

  • Cabbage field, 2006
  • Lettuce field, 2009

References
  1. General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Homs Governorate. (in Arabic)
  2. Smith, 1841, p. 176.
  3. Holmes, Oliver. Syrian rebels briefly seize air missile base. Reuters. 2012-06-11.

Bibliography
  • Smith, Eli; Robinson, Edward (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the Year 1838. 3. Crocker and Brewster.
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