About Syria

The map depicts Syria, a country in the Levant region of the eastern Mediterranean. Years of conflict profoundly altered the whole region. With the fall of the ruling government under President Bashar al-Assad in 2024, the Syrian Arab Republic ceased to exist.

With an area of 185,180 km², Syria is about half the size of Germany or slightly larger than the US state of North Dakota. The country shares its borders with Iraq to the east, Turkey (Türkiye) to the north, Jordan to the south, Israel to the southwest, and Lebanon to the west. In the west, the country is bounded by the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Syria has a population of about 24 million people. Capital city is Damascus. Spoken languages are Arabic (official), English and French (widely understood), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Russian and Circassian.
 

More about Syria


Overview
Syria's landscapes include a coastal strip in the west, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The coastal plains are bounded by the Syrian Coastal Mountains in the east, a mountain range running north–south parallel to the coast. To the east of the mountain range lies the fertile farmland of the Orontes Valley. Further to the east begins the Syrian Desert, a semi-arid, steppe-like landscape, mainly along the northern border, that becomes more arid and desert-like further south. Around half of the country is covered by desert and is only sparsely populated.
Syria has a population of about 24 million people. The decade-long war has made it difficult to get an accurate count of the population.


Geography of Syria
Syria's geography offers two major regions, a western and an eastern part.
The western region features narrow, fertile coastal plains along the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The coast that extends from Lebanon in the south to Turkey in the north receives plenty of moisture from the Mediterranean, creating an agricultural area that usually does not require irrigation. The coastline alternates between sandy beaches and rocky headlands, with cliffs formed by extensions of the Jabal an-Nusayria (Jabal Alawite) range, which runs north to south. In the southwest, the agricultural Plain of Akkar crosses into Lebanon. In the south, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains on the border with Lebanon dominate the landscape. Syria's highest point, Mount Hermon (Jabal a-Shayk) at 2,814 m (9,232 ft), a mountain massif on the border between Lebanon and Syria, is located there. In the eastern foothills of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains lies the country's capital, Damascus. In the northwest, the coast is bounded inland by the Syrian Coastal Mountains, also known as Jabal an-Nusayria. The plain east of the mountains is the agricultural landscape of the Orontes Valley.

The eastern part of the country is the realm of the Syrian Desert, also known as the Syro-Arabian Desert, a mixture of dry steppe and true desert landscape. The arid wasteland covers about 500,000 km² (200,000 sq mi) across the northern Arabian Peninsula. To the south lies the Jabal al-Druze Range, a mountainous area that stands out within the desert expanse. The highest point is Tell Qeni at 1,803 m (5,915 ft).


Rivers
The endorheic Jordan River originates from Mount Hermon and flows south through the Jordan Trench into the Sea of Galilee and drains into the Dead Sea.

The Orontes River rises in northern Jordan and runs northward through the Ghab Plain depression, following the eastern edge of the Jabal an-Nusayria range. It passes through the cities of Homs, Hama, and Apamea before turning west toward Latakia on the coast. With its fertile farmland and a reliable water supply, the Orontes Valley supplies a large portion of the Syrian population.

The famous Euphrates River originates in Turkey and flows across Syria before entering Iraq. The Tabka Dam on the Euphrates has created Lake Assad, a large reservoir. Downstream, the Balikh and Khabur rivers join the Euphrates as it crosses the Al-Jazirah region, also known as Upper Mesopotamia.

The Yarmouk River in the southwest forms part of the border between Jordan and Syria; it is the largest tributary of the Jordan River.


Mountains
In the southwest are the Golan Heights, a mountain plateau overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The Golan historically belongs to Syria, but has been under control by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel officially annexed the area in 1981.

In Syria's southernmost corner lies the Jabal al-Druze, a volcanic region in the desert; its highest point is Tell Qeni (1803 m). The region is home to the Druze community, a distinct Shiite sect. This mountainous region is the source of the Yarmuk River, which flows through southern Syria and Jordan before emptying into the Jordan River.

The Anti-Lebanon Mountains, also known as Qalamun Sinnir, form the eastern edge of the rift valley and include Mount Hermon. East of these mountains lies Damascus, situated at an oasis fed by the Barada River. The Anti-Lebanon Mountains extend northward to Homs before sharply turning northeast to form the Palmyra range, which includes Jabal Abu Rujmayn and Jabal Bishri. This range rises to about 910 meters (3,000 feet) and dominates the central plateau. To the north, deep wadis cut through the plateau as they descend toward the Euphrates River.


Desert
Southern and eastern Syria are part of the northern Syrian Desert. An area that consists of a plateau that descends from 610 to 910 meters (2,000 to 3,000 feet) above sea level near the rift valley to flat sandy desert plains along the Iraqi border. The plateau also slopes toward the Euphrates River, which forms its eastern boundary. Much of southern Syria features a rocky plain. As part of the Fertile Crescent, the region is rich in historical sites, including the ruins of Palmyra, a famed caravan city along the ancient Spice Road.


Archaeological sites
The region of present-day Syria has been an important cultural and political area throughout history. The country in the Levant has many famous archaeological sites, including:

• Aleppo is one of the oldest cities in the world. Archaeological evidence suggests the urban settlement has been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th millennium BCE. The Ancient City of Aleppo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes the Citadel of Aleppo, the Great Mosque, and historic souks. The city features a blend of Islamic, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences.
  
  
• Damascus was founded in the 3rd millennium BCE, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Throughout history, it has served as a political and cultural center for numerous empires and dynasties. In the Middle Ages, Damascus was renowned for its flourishing craft industries, particularly the manufacture of swords (Damascene) and fine lace (Damask). Influenced by various civilizations, including the Arameans, Greeks, Romans, and later the Islamic Caliphates, the city's rich history is reflected in its architecture and culture. Today, the Ancient City of Damascus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  
  
• Bosra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia. It was an important stopover on the ancient caravan route to Mecca.
  
  
• Ain Dara, an archaeological site that was once home to one of the world's oldest temples.
  
  
• Mari (today Tell Hariri) was an ancient Semitic city-state in the southeastern corner of modern-day Syria.
  
  
• Waššukanni, the ancient city was the capital of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni from around 1500 BC to the 13th century BC. The precise location of Waššukanni remains unknown, but strong suggestions place it near the headwaters of the Khabur River, near the modern town of Ras al-Ayn in northeastern Syria.
  
  
• Probably the most famous archaeological site in Syria is Palmyra. The ancient city was a stopover for caravans traveling the Silk Road. During the Roman Empire, the urban complex became a highly prosperous and luxurious metropolis.
  
  

Governorates of Syria
Syria is divided into fourteen governorates (muhafazah). They are named after their capitals.

• Al-Hasakah: Known for its diverse population and role in agriculture, particularly grain and cotton.
  
  
• Aleppo (Haleb): Syria's largest city and an ancient center of trade, now rebuilding after years of conflict.
  
  
• Damascus (Dimashq): The nation's capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
  
  
• Daraa: Situated in southern Syria, it has historical significance as the "cradle" of the Syrian uprising in 2011.
  
  
• Deir ez-Zor: The city is located in eastern Syria along the Euphrates River and is known for its oil resources.
  

• Hama: The city is famous for its ancient Norias (water wheels) along the Orontes River.
  
  
• Homs: With an area of 42,223 km², Homs is the country's largest governorate. A historic trade hub at the crossroads of central Syria, with landmarks such as the medieval crusader castle Krak des Chevaliers nearby.
  
  
• Idlib: The city is known for its agricultural output, including olives and wheat.
  
  
• Latakia: A coastal city and port on the Mediterranean, vital for trade and maritime activities.
  
  
• Quneitra: Located near the Golan Heights, it has a strategic and contested position. Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Israeli forces advanced into the United Nations-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights, seizing control of Quneitra and surrounding areas.
  
  
• Raqqa: Once a stronghold of the Islamic State; it is now recovering and rebuilding.
  
  
• Rif Dimashq (capital: Duma): This governorate surrounding Damascus includes rural areas and smaller towns.
  
  
• Suwayda: The city on a volcanic plateau is centered on the Druze community and is known for its wine production.
  
  
• Tartus: A coastal governorate that has been home to an important Russian naval base in the port city of the same name.