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Syria

Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia on the eastern Mediterranean coast.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Its capital and largest city is Damascus, and it borders Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Geography

Syria is situated on the eastern Mediterranean coast in the Levant and borders several countries in the Middle East. Its territory includes coastal areas, mountains, and inland desert regions.

Government and administration

Current source material describes Syria as a republic under a provisional government. The country is divided into 14 governorates, with Damascus serving as the capital.

Population and language

The provided sources estimate Syria’s population at around 26 million. Arabic is listed as the official language in the source material.

Modern history

Recent source material notes that Syria underwent major political change in late 2024, after the fall of the Assad regime and the emergence of a transitional authority. Earlier historical sources identify Syria’s independence in 1945-1946 and decades of Ba’ath Party rule beginning in 1963.

Key facts

  • Syria is a country in Western Asia on the eastern Mediterranean coast.
  • Damascus is both the capital and the largest city.
  • The country borders Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Syria is described as a republic under a provisional government and is divided into 14 governorates.
  • Estimates place Syria’s population at about 26 million and its area at 185,180 km².
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Canadian context

Syria is relevant to Canada through Canadian humanitarian policy, refugee resettlement, and Canada’s involvement in Middle East diplomacy and aid responses related to the Syrian conflict.

Frequently asked questions

What is Syria’s official name?
Syria’s official name is the Syrian Arab Republic.
What is the capital of Syria?
Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria.
What countries border Syria?
Syria borders Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon, and also has a Mediterranean coastline.
What is Syria’s government type?
The provided source material describes Syria as a republic under a provisional government.
How large is Syria?
Syria’s area is listed as 185,180 square kilometres in the provided sources.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria
    Supports: Official name, capital, borders, area, population, administrative divisions, provisional government
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Syria
    Supports: Country location, eastern Mediterranean setting, Golan Heights note
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Syria
    Supports: Area, population estimate, capital, language, religion, economy, government
  4. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/syrian-political-geography/syria
    Supports: Borders, boundary length, coastline
  5. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Syria
    Supports: Independence in 1945-1946 and Ba'ath Party rule history
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_Syria
    Supports: Recent political change, provisional government, geographic overview