Syria

3000 BCE (exact date unknown): The emergence of ancient Mesopotamian civilization, including early Syrian city-states like Ebla and Mari

732 BCE (April 8, Thursday): Battle of Qarqar – Assyrian King Shalmaneser III fights against a coalition of Syrian states

64 BCE (June 12, Thursday): Syria becomes a Roman province

661 CE (April 13, Wednesday): The Umayyad Caliphate is established, with Damascus as its capital

1258 CE (February 13, Wednesday): The Mongol invasion and sack of Baghdad, affecting Syria’s region

1920 (July 25, Sunday): French mandate over Syria after World War I

1946 (April 17, Wednesday): Syria gains independence from France

1963 (March 8, Friday): Ba’ath Party coup, establishing a one-party system in Syria

1970 (November 13, Friday): Hafez al-Assad comes to power in a military coup

2000 (July 10, Monday): Bashar al-Assad becomes president after his father’s death

2011 (March 15, Tuesday): Beginning of the Syrian Civil War, leading to widespread conflict and international intervention

2013 (August 21, Wednesday): Chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, Damascus suburb, killing hundreds of civilians

2014 (March 9, Sunday): ISIS seizes control of parts of northern Syria

2016 (September 19, Monday): Aleppo siege begins, becoming one of the longest and most brutal battles in the conflict

2018 (February 6, Tuesday): Syrian government regains control over eastern Ghouta after months of fighting

2020 (March 19, Thursday): COVID-19 pandemic hits Syria, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis

2021 (March 13, Saturday): Severe floods in Aleppo, affecting thousands of residents

2023 (August 10, Thursday): Earthquake strikes southwestern Syria, causing widespread damage and casualties

Continent: Asia
Location: Western Asia, bordered by Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea
Capital: Damascus
Language: Arabic
Currency: Syrian Pound (SYP)
Population: ~18.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET) / UTC +2

Borders: Turkey (north), Iraq (east), Jordan (south), Israel (southwest), Lebanon (west), Mediterranean Sea (west)
Landscape: Coastal plains, mountains, desert (Syrian Desert), fertile valleys
Major Rivers: Euphrates, Orontes, Tigris (partly)
Major Mountains: Anti-Lebanon Mountains, Jebel al-Druze
Deserts: Syrian Desert (Badia)
Lakes: Lake Assad (artificial), Lake Qattinah
Volcanoes: Mount Hermon (active)
Highest Point: Mount Hermon (2,814 m / 9,232 ft)
Lowest Point: Jordan River Valley (-300 m / -980 ft)
Climate: Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters; desert climate in the interior, Mediterranean climate along the coast
Geological Features: Tectonic faults, volcanic mountains, and desert plains

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Arab, with Kurdish, Turkmen, Armenian, and Circassian minorities
Religion: Sunni Muslim (approx. 74%), Alawite (approx. 12%), Christian (various denominations), Druze, Ismaili Shia
Urban Population: ~58% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~5% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Ancient history, archaeology, cuisine, literature
Cuisine: Hummus, falafel, kibbeh, tabbouleh, shawarma, baklava
Arts: Syrian music (classical Arabic music), traditional storytelling, mosaic art
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, volleyball

Economy Type: Mixed economy (centralized, transitioning)
GDP: Approx. $24 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Oil, natural gas, agriculture (wheat, cotton), textiles, food processing, mining
Key Exports: Oil, textiles, cotton, fruits, vegetables
Unemployment Rate: ~50% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The coast (Latakia) is known for agriculture and tourism; the northeast for oil and gas production; central Syria for agriculture and trade

Government Type: Unitary, semi-presidential republic
Head of State: President Bashar al-Assad (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Hussein Arnous (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral (People’s Assembly)
Constitution: In effect since 2012, revised in 2021

Damascus: Ancient city, Umayyad Mosque, Old City (UNESCO World Heritage site)
Palmyra: Ancient Roman city ruins, Temple of Bel (UNESCO World Heritage site)
Aleppo: Citadel of Aleppo, historical souks, Great Mosque
Homs: Crusader Castle, Roman ruins
Latakia: Mediterranean beaches, ancient ruins