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Mapping Syria & Northern Jordan In The Year Before Syria's Treaty of independence

The 1935 British War Office edition of the Damascus sheet of the International Map of the World represents a collaborative effort in global cartography. The map details most Syria, Northern Jordan and Western Iraq, with a focus.

The Arabic-English-French glossary accompanying the map provides essential translations of geographical terms commonly encountered in the Levant region. Words such as Jebel (mountain), Ain (spring), Khan (caravanserai), and Wadi (dry watercourse) reflect the physical and cultural landscape of the area. The inclusion of French translations alongside English underscores the dual colonial influence of the British and French under the Mandates system. This tri-lingual approach highlights the map’s utility for British and French officials working in areas of overlapping interest, as well as for interpreting Arabic place names, which often describe key features of the environment or cultural significance of locations.   

The map includes a detailed legend of symbols, which provides a comprehensive guide to interpreting both physical and human-made features. For geographical features, it uses distinct symbols to denote hills, ridges, plains, perennial and seasonal rivers, and dry watercourses, emphasizing the varied terrain of Syria and its neighboring regions. Infrastructure is clearly illustrated, with roads, railways, and telegraph routes differentiated by their type and condition. For instance, symbols distinguish metalled roads, suitable for motor vehicles in all weather, from unmetalled roads, which are less reliable. Similarly, railways are classified by gauge to indicate the connectivity and capacity of each route.  Cultural and historical features are also carefully represented. Ruins, caravan routes, and religious landmarks such as mosques, shrines, and temples are marked, reflecting the region’s deep historical and cultural significance 

A distinct section titled "Reference to Air Information" addresses the growing importance of aviation in the interwar period. Symbols denote aerodromes, landing grounds, airship stations, and seaplane mooring areas, as well as airway beacons, wireless communication stations, and obstructions over 60 meters in height. These features illustrate the increasing reliance on air travel and reconnaissance in the colonial administration of the region. The map also highlights the dual military and civilian use of aviation infrastructure, underscoring the British military’s strategic priorities during this period.  The map employs an altitude tinting system, illustrated in the accompanying color scale, to visually represent terrain elevation. 

In the 1930s, Syria was under the French Mandate, established after World War I through the League of Nations. The mandate placed Syria and Lebanon under French administrative control following the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire. France divided the territory into separate political units: the State of Damascus, State of Aleppo, Greater Lebanon, Alawite State, and Jabal Druze. By 1930, a constitution for Syria was drafted, renaming the mandate territory the "Syrian Republic," though it remained under French influence.

The 1930s marked a period of increasing Syrian nationalism and resistance to French rule. The National Bloc, a coalition of Syrian leaders and intellectuals, emerged as the central organization advocating for independence. Protests and negotiations between Syrian leaders and French authorities occurred frequently during this period. The culmination of these efforts was the Franco-Syrian Treaty of 1936, which granted nominal independence to Syria, though it still heavily relied on French military and political oversight. The treaty was never fully implemented due to the French parliament's refusal to ratify it, leading to renewed tensions.

The broader region experienced significant changes during this period. In neighboring Iraq, independence was granted in 1932, providing a model and encouragement for Syrian aspirations. Jordan remained under British oversight as the Emirate of Transjordan. Meanwhile, the ongoing Zionist movement in Palestine under British control introduced additional geopolitical complexity, as it influenced Arab solidarity and regional political dynamics.