Qalamoun Mountains

English Wikipedia describes the range as running from the Barada River valley in the south-west to the city of Hisyah in the north-east. Arabic Wikipedia describes it as a mountain chain in western Syria extending from al-Duraij in the south to al-Burayj in the north, lying north-west of Damascus and also called the Anti-Lebanon range.

According to Arabic Wikipedia, summers are mild to cool, while winters bring heavy snowfall that covers towns and peaks. Dozens of natural and mineral springs occur along the range.[1][2]

Arabic Wikipedia notes numerous antiquities, caves, rock-cut buildings, temples and historically important monasteries, churches and Christian shrines among the mountains. According to English Wikipedia, the Cherubim Monastery at Saidnaya stands on the peak of the range. English Wikipedia also refers to fighting during the civil war in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 and to the evacuation of rebels from eastern Qalamoun.[1][2]

Arabic Wikipedia lists towns including Zabadani, Wadi Barada, Yabroud, al-Tall, Saidnaya, Maarat Saidnaya, Ain Minin, Maaloula, Rankous, Talfita, Bakhaa, Jubb'adin, al-Nabk, Qara, Deir Atiyah and Assal al-Ward. For the eastern part, English Wikipedia names al-Qutayfah, al-Naseriyah, al-Ruhaybah, Jayrud, Muadamiyat al-Qalamoun and al-Dumayr.

According to Arabic Wikipedia, the inhabitants are known for trade, and in several towns Aramaic (Syriac) is still spoken in daily life. Fruit growing is widespread, notably cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, apples, figs and grapes.[1][2]