Syria

Overview

Syria is situated in southwest Asia. It is home Umayyad Mosque which is one of the world’s largest and oldest mosque in Damascus. It is mentioned in the Bible as Aram region.

The country recorded a population of 16.91 million in 2018 and covers an area of 185,180 km2. The capital is Damascus.

The second-largest city and most populous city is Aleppo.

Umayyad Mosque, Damascus.

History

Damascus was under the Ottoman Empire ruled for many years until 1918, when the Arab and British soldiers invaded.

It received independence in 1946.

Together with other Arab countries, Egypt and Jordan, they fought Israel a few years after the state of Israel was formed for six days in 1967.

Food & culture

Its culture is influenced by Islamic culture.

The major crops grown here are wheat, barley, olives, sugar beets and cotton.

Wildlife

The most common wildlife animals includes caracal, jungle cat, sand cat, hedgehog, gazelle, derr, and eagles.

Festivals & events

The Independence Day is celebrated in April.

Cotton Festival is celebrated in July for Aleppo to show what it offers in the country.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the Ramadan.

Things to see

The Umayyad Mosque is one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world in the old city of Damascus.

There is the Krak des Chevaliers that was a Crusader castle and it is among the most preserved medieval castles worldwide and with free entrance.

Apamea city is an ancient city on Orontes River inhabited by Greeks and Romans with very old architecture.

At the north of the country, there is the Citadel of Aleppo, which is a large medieval secured palace.

Interesting facts

The oldest city in the world is Damascus in Syria with evidence of habitation aged 11,000 years.

The major religion in Syria is Sunni Islam but there is freedom of religion.

The official language is Arabic.

Neighbours

• Iraq
• Israel
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Turkey