ALEPPO (Ar. Haleb). One of the most im portant cities of Syria, and capital of the Turk ish vilayet of Aleppo (30,340 square miles: pop., 995,800) (Map: Turkey in Asia, G 4). It is about 80 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea, on the desert stream of Nahr-el-Haleb, in about 36° 12' N. lat., and 37° 12' E. long. It is sur rounded by hills, and has regular and clean streets. In the northwestern part stands the cita del, situated on a hill and surrounded by a deep moat. The town was formerly surrounded by a strong wall, of which only a small portion is left, the remainder, together with many of the public buildings, having been destroyed by the earth quake of 1822. The bazaar is extensive and well built. The European colony of Aleppo is con siderable, and there are several European schools and Christian churches. Among the mosques the most noteworthy is the Great Mosque, or Jana Sakawya, containing the alleged remains of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. Be fore the earthquake of 1822, and repeated visi tations of the plague and cholera, Aleppo was a great commercial centre in spite of its inland po sition. it supplied a large part of the Orient with various fabrics of wool, cotton, silk, and silver and gold ware. The trade is still considerable, and its chief exports are wool, cotton, grain, gums, saffron, sesame, and hides. Some silk, embroidery,
and leather goods are manufactured. The chief port of Aleppo is Alexandretta (q.v.). The im portation of European goods by native merchants is increasing rapidly. Aleppo is the sent of a 'United States and several European consuls. The population is estimated at 125,000, including about 20,000 Christians, 5000 Jews, and some Armenians. Aleppo is believed to be of great antiquity. In ancient times its name was Be rcea, given to it by Selencus Nicator. it was attacked and taken repeatedly by the Saraeens and Mongols, and suffered considerably from earthquakes during the twelfth century. In 1516 Aleppo was wrested from the Mamelukes by the Turkish Sultan Sethi), and it became the capital of a pashalie. The city is supposed to have contained in those times about 300,000 in habitants, and carried on a large trade by cara vans. which subsequently fell off on account of the discovery of the sea route to the East Indies.
In 1850 there was an uprising of Christians, sup pressed only after considerable bloodshed. Con sult E. Blochet, "L'histoire d'Alep," in the Rcrue de l'Orient Latin (Paris, 1897).