Syria
Capital
Damascus
Population
~21.3 million
Currency
Syrian Pound (SYP)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Arabic
- Religion
- Predominantly Sunni Islam, significant Alawite, Christian, Druze minorities
- Climate
- Mostly desert; hot summers, mild winters; Mediterranean coast
Culture & History
Known for: ancient civilizations (including Damascus, one of oldest continuously inhabited cities), ongoing devastating civil war since 2011, and historical Damascus steel
Also famous for: Rich archaeological sites (Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers - many damaged/destroyed), diverse religious/ethnic groups, complex geopolitics
Food: Kibbeh, Fattoush, Shawarma, Mezze platters
Brief History
Crossroads of civilizations, part of Ottoman Empire, French mandate, independence 1946, Ba'athist rule under Assad family since 1970, ongoing civil war