Recently, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rebel militia, seized Aleppo, the 2nd largest city of Syria.

About Syria

• Location: Syria is a Western Asian country located in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Borders: It shares boundaries with Turkey (north), Iraq (east and southeast), Jordan (south), Israel and Lebanon (southwest).

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Geography of Syria

• Mountains: The Anti-Lebanon Mountains separate Syria and Lebanon, with Mt. Hermon (2,814 m) as the highest point.
  • The Bishri Mountains dominate the west-central and northern regions.
• Rivers: The Euphrates River (rising in Turkey) and its tributary, the Khabur River, are the major water bodies.
  • Smaller rivers flow into central valleys, and Lake al-Assad, a man-made reservoir.
• Vegetation: Coastal areas support Mediterranean vegetation, while the Syrian Desert in the east has sparse vegetation.
• Sea: The Mediterranean Sea lies to the west, featuring a 180 km-long coastline with sandy bays, cliffs, and rocky headlands.
• Important Cities of Syria:
  • Damascus: The capital and largest city, located near the Barada River, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
  • Aleppo: The most populous city in Syria.
• Climate: Syria has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The eastern desert areas are arid.