# Al-Nabek

> place in Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria

**Wikidata**: [Q2317068](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2317068)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nabek)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/al-nabek

## Summary

Al-Nabek is a city located in the Rif Dimashq Governorate of Syria, situated at an elevation of 1,255 metres above sea level with coordinates 34.025°N, 36.734444°E. The city, which had a population of 52,502 as of 2007, holds historical significance as a populated place in Syria with written records dating back to 1101.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria; located in the An Nabk Subdistrict
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 34.025, Longitude 36.734444444444
- **Elevation**: 1,255 metres above sea level
- **Population**: 52,502 (as of 2007)
- **Timezone**: UTC+02:00
- **Earliest Written Record**: 1101
- **Classification**: City; populated place in Syria
- **Aliases**: An-Nabk, An-Nabek, Эн-Небк
- **Wikidata Description**: place in Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria
- **Wikipedia Title**: Al-Nabek
- **Commons Category**: An-Nabk
- **GND ID**: 7563470-3
- **Geonames ID**: 173193
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02qfw2v
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -2538710
- **Museum Digital Place ID**: 79581
- **Kulturenvanteri Taxonomy ID**: 20649
- **Sitelink Count**: 26
- **Who's On First ID**: 1125978283
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Arabic (ar), Egyptian Arabic (arz), Cebuano (ceb), Central Kurdish (ckb), Commons, German (de), English (en), Spanish (es), Persian (fa), French (fr), Armenian (hy), Georgian (ka), Mazandarani (mzn), Dutch (nl), Norwegian Nynorsk (nn), Norwegian (no), Polish (pl), Russian (ru), Scots (sco), Swedish (sv), Urdu (ur), Vietnamese (vi), Chinese (zh)

## FAQs

**What type of settlement is Al-Nabek?**
Al-Nabek is classified as a city and populated place in Syria, specifically located in the Rif Dimashq Governorate.

**What is the population of Al-Nabek?**
Al-Nabek had a population of 52,502 people as of 2007.

**What is the geographical location of Al-Nabek?**
Al-Nabek is situated at coordinates 34.025°N latitude and 36.734444°E longitude, at an elevation of 1,255 metres above sea level in the An Nabk Subdistrict of Rif Dimashq Governorate.

**What is the historical significance of Al-Nabek?**
Al-Nabek has documented historical records dating back to 1101, making it a settlement with nearly a millennium of recorded history.

**What notable landmarks are associated with Al-Nabek?**
The city is associated with the Mar Musa monastery (Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian), also known as Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi, which appears in the Wikimedia Commons image for the location.

**What time zone is Al-Nabek in?**
Al-Nabek operates on Arabia Standard Time (UTC+02:00).

## Why It Matters

Al-Nabek matters as one of the significant populated places in the Rif Dimashq Governorate, serving as a historical and cultural center in the region. Its elevation of 1,255 metres makes it notable among Syrian settlements, and its documented history extending back to 1101 provides valuable insight into the historical development of the area. The city's population of over 52,000 people demonstrates its continued relevance as an urban center in modern Syria. Its location within the An Nabk Subdistrict and its classification as a city rather than a smaller settlement indicates its administrative and regional importance. The presence of significant cultural landmarks such as the Mar Musa monastery further enhances its historical and religious tourism value.

## Notable For

- Historical documentation dating back to 1101, representing nearly 900 years of continuous recorded history
- Elevation of 1,255 metres above sea level, making it a notable high-altitude settlement in Syria
- Population exceeding 50,000 residents as of 2007
- Association with the Mar Musa monastery (Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi), a significant religious site
- Multilingual Wikipedia presence across 22 language editions
- Classification as a city rather than a town or village, indicating administrative significance

## Body

### Geography and Location

Al-Nabek is strategically positioned in the Rif Dimashq Governorate, one of Syria's governorates surrounding the capital Damascus. The city sits at coordinates 34.025°N latitude and 36.734444°E longitude, placing it in the mountainous region of Syria. With an elevation of 1,255 metres above sea level, Al-Nabek is situated in a highland area, which distinguishes it from many other settlements in the region. The city is located within the An Nabk Subdistrict, indicating its role as a administrative center for surrounding smaller communities. The timezone observed is UTC+02:00, consistent with standard Syrian time.

### Demographics and Population

As of the 2007 census, Al-Nabek had a population of 52,502 residents. This population figure establishes the city as a significant urban center within the Rif Dimashq Governorate, larger than many surrounding settlements. The population count reflects a substantial community with diverse social and economic activities. The city's classification as a "city" rather than a town or village further confirms its demographic and administrative importance within the region.

### Historical Background

Al-Nabek possesses documented historical records extending back to 1101, representing nearly nine centuries of recorded history. This early written record places the city among the historically significant settlements in the Syrian region. The earliest written mention of Al-Nabek dates to the medieval period, a time when the region was part of various Islamic caliphates and later Ottoman administration. The continuity of settlement from the 12th century through to the present day demonstrates the city's enduring importance as a permanent human settlement.

### Cultural and Religious Significance

The city is notably associated with the Mar Musa monastery, also known as the Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian (Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi). This religious site is represented in Wikimedia Commons and carries the qualification in multiple languages, including Russian (Монастырь Святого Моисея Абиссинского). The monastery represents the Christian heritage of the region and serves as a destination for religious pilgrims and tourists. The presence of such a significant religious monument contributes to Al-Nabek's cultural importance beyond its role as a residential and administrative center.

### Administrative Classification

Al-Nabek is classified in multiple authoritative databases as a city and populated place in Syria. The Wikidata entry specifically describes it as "place in Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria," confirming its administrative status. The city serves as the center of the An Nabk Subdistrict, indicating its role in local governance and administration. This administrative function adds to the city's importance beyond its residential population, as it serves as a hub for surrounding smaller communities.

### International Identification and References

The city is catalogued in numerous international identification systems, demonstrating its recognition in global databases. It carries the GND ID (Gemeinsame Normdatei) of 7563470-3, the Geonames ID of 173193, and the Freebase ID of /m/02qfw2v. Additionally, it has a GNS unique feature ID of -2538710 and a museum digital place ID of 79581. The Kulturenvanteri taxonomy ID is 20649, suggesting its inclusion in cultural heritage databases. These multiple identification numbers across different systems reflect the city's documented presence in international knowledge bases.

### Multilingual Presence

Al-Nabek maintains a significant multilingual presence on Wikipedia, with articles in 22 different language editions including Arabic, English, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Persian, and Chinese, among others. The sitelink count of 26 indicates widespread coverage across Wikimedia projects. This extensive multilingual representation demonstrates the city's international recognition and the availability of information about it across different linguistic communities.

### Naming and Aliases

The city is known by multiple names and variations in different languages and transliteration systems. The primary name "Al-Nabek" appears alongside aliases including "An-Nabk" and "An-Nabek." In Cyrillic script, it appears as "Эн-Небк." These various name forms reflect the city's importance across different linguistic and cultural contexts, as well as the challenges of transliteration between Arabic and other writing systems.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames