Talaf

Talaf (Arabic: طلف) is a village in northwestern Syria, administratively part of the Hama Governorate, located southwest of Hama. Nearby localities include Musa al-Houla to the north, Hirbnafsah to the northeast, Kisin to the east, Burj Qa'i to the south, Taldou to the southwest and Kafr Laha and Tell Dahab to the west. It is famous for its agriculture and overlooks Houla Plain and the road between Homs and Masyaf. It is located 40 km southwest of Hama and 35 km northwest of Homs. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics CBS, Talaf had a population of 4,934 in the 2004 census.^[1] They are Turkmen descent and Sunni Muslims who follow the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.^[2][3][4] It is located at a crossroads that connects Hama Governorate to Homs Governorate and also connects these two cities to the Syrian coast and to the city of Masyaf and the northern region of Syria to Lebanon

Talaf طلف
Country	Syria
Governorate	Hama Governorate
Districts	Hama
Population  (2004)
• Total	people (village only) 4,934
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Area code	+963 33

About Talaf

Talaf is a village in northwestern Syria’s Hama Governorate, located about 40 km southwest of Hama city. They are Turkmen and Sunni Muslims who follow the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence. Known locally as "Küçük Şam" (Little Damascus) due to its vibrant atmosphere, Talaf lies strategically along the road connecting Homs and Masyaf.

Name

The village is also known among the Turkmen as (Küçük Şam meaning "Little Damascus"). It is believed that the reason for this name is that its inhabitants lived in Damascus before they traveled and settled in the village of Talf.

The site

The village overlooks the Houla Plain, and the extension of the Rastan Dam , which ends at the village's borders, and to the east, five kilometers east of Hula, on the road between Homs and Masyaf.

Village activities and residents

The village is famous for agriculture, and dairy products, especially cream. The percentage of educated people is increasing, including doctors, engineers, and university teachers. There are several schools in the village for all levels, and a social services center.

The village suffers from a chronic problem, which is the bridge that connects the village to the lands located south of the village. It is only suitable for people and bicycles, and cars are not allowed to pass, which forces the farmer to travel a distance of about 8 kilometers to cultivate his land, which is located several kilometers south of the river.

Bibliography

• Hartmann, Martin (2012). Reisebriefe aus Syrien (in German). Books on Demand. ISBN 978-3864448010.
• Robinson, Edward; Smith, Eli (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the year 1838. Vol. 3. Boston: Crocker & Brewster.