Syyria

Syyria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, in the Levant. It borders Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea. The capital and largest city is Damascus. Before the civil war, the population was about 22 million; since 2011, conflict has caused massive displacement and casualties, with many people remaining internally displaced or as refugees.

Geography includes a Mediterranean coastal plain, a central plateau, and the Syrian Desert. The Orontes flows into the Mediterranean in the northwest; the Euphrates in the east. The climate ranges from Mediterranean along the coast to arid inland.

Historically, the region hosts ancient civilizations. It was part of the Ottoman Empire, then the French Mandate. Independence followed in 1946. The Ba'ath Party came to power in the 1960s, and Bashar al-Assad has led since 2000. Since 2011, civil war has involved government forces, various opposition groups, Kurdish factions, and jihadist elements, with Russia and Iran supporting the government.

Politics and economy: It is a unitary state under a constitution, but the war has weakened central authority. The economy relies on petroleum, agriculture, and services; sanctions and conflict have reduced output. Reconstruction and humanitarian access remain major concerns.

Demographics and culture: Arabic is the official language. The population includes Sunni Muslims as the largest group, with Alawite, Christian, Druze, and Kurdish minorities. Syria is home to ancient sites such as Palmyra and the Old City of Damascus and has a distinctive cuisine and cultural heritage.