الجمهورية العربية السورية
Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia with over 10,000 years of continuous human civilization. As one of the oldest inhabited regions on Earth, Syria has been home to some of history's most influential empires and cultures.
The ancient city of Damascus, Syria's capital, is widely regarded as the world's oldest continuously inhabited city, with archaeological evidence dating back to 11,000 years ago. Syria's strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe made it a vital center for trade, culture, and knowledge throughout human history.
Pop: ~2.5M
World's oldest continuously inhabited city. Capital since 635 AD. Known for Umayyad Mosque, Old City souks, and ancient quarters.
Pop: ~2.2M
Ancient Silk Road hub. Famous for Aleppo Citadel, covered souks, and unique cuisine. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pop: ~1.8M
Industrial center. Home to Crac des Chevaliers castle and ancient Emesa. Known as "Capital of the Revolution."
Pop: ~550K
Main seaport on Mediterranean. Ancient Phoenician city. Known for beaches, mountains, and diverse culture.
193 km of beautiful coastline. Major ports: Latakia, Tartus, Baniyas. Famous for pristine beaches, seafood, and coastal mountains.
Anti-Lebanon Mountains (highest: Mount Hermon 2,814m), Alawite Mountains, and Kurdish Mountains in the north.
Covers 500,000 km². Home to ancient Palmyra ruins. Bedouin heritage. Steppe and desert ecosystem.
Euphrates (longest in Western Asia), Orontes, Barada, Khabur. Lake Assad reservoir.
Birthplace of agriculture (10,000 BC). Rich farmland producing wheat, cotton, olives, pistachios, and fruits.
Mediterranean coast, Continental interior, Desert southeast. Four distinct seasons.
Founded in 3rd millennium BC. Umayyad Mosque, old souks, ancient walls. Living museum of Islamic architecture.
13th-century citadel, Great Mosque, medieval souks. Silk Road trading center for centuries.
Nabataean capital. Perfectly preserved Roman theater seating 15,000. Early Islamic monuments.
Oasis city of Queen Zenobia. Monumental ruins combining Greco-Roman and Persian influences.
Medieval Crusader castle. One of the world's best-preserved castles. Military architecture masterpiece.
40+ abandoned Byzantine-era villages. Stone churches, houses, and monasteries from 1st-7th centuries.
Syrian food is considered one of the world's finest cuisines, with influences from Mediterranean, Arab, and Ottoman traditions.
Syria has a rich musical heritage blending Arab classical, folk, and modern styles.
Syria is the birthplace of the Ugaritic alphabet (1400 BC), one of the world's first alphabets.
Syria is a mosaic of religious communities living together for millennia.
Syrian artisans are famous for their intricate handmade crafts passed through generations.
Forcibly disappeared and detained in regime prisons
Killed since 2011, majority by regime forces
Forced from homes by violence and bombardment
Fled abroad, largest refugee crisis since WWII
Documented chemical weapons attacks by regime
Attacks on hospitals and medical centers
Palmyra, Damascus Old City, Aleppo Old City, Crac des Chevaliers, Ancient Bosra
Muwashshah, traditional dabke, rich musical heritage
Kibbeh, fattoush, shawarma, baklava, Damascus sweets
Historical Note: This flag was Syria's independence flag (1932-1958, 1961-1963). Adopted again in 2025 after the fall of the Assad regime, symbolizing return to freedom and independence.
After 54 years of dictatorship and 14 years of brutal conflict, Syria begins its journey toward freedom, justice, and democracy. The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 marks the end of an era of oppression and the beginning of hope for millions of Syrians.