Syria
Damascus · Western Asia
Syria is a country in Asia. Its capital city is Damascus, the official currency is the Syrian Pound, and the main language is Arabic.
With a population of roughly 23.2 million people spread over 185,180 km², Syria is the 59th most populous country in the world and the 87th largest by area. That works out at about 125 people per square kilometre.
Syria shares land borders with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon — 5 neighbours in all. Its largest urban centres are Damascus, Aleppo and Homs. The highest point in the country is Mount Hermon, at 2,814 metres.
For scale, it covers almost exactly the same area as Cambodia, while its population is closest to that of Burkina Faso.
- Capital
- Damascus
- Region
- Western Asia
- Population
- 23,200,000
- Area
- 185,180 km²
- Currency
- Syrian Pound
- Main language
- Arabic
- Highest point
- Mount Hermon
2,814 m - Land borders
- 5
Syria: things worth knowing
- Damascus is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
- Aleppo's ancient souks were one of the largest covered market complexes anywhere before the recent conflict.
- The Euphrates crosses the country from Turkey to Iraq and supplies most of its fresh water.
Syria in context
Asia has 48 sovereign countries in total. Syria ranks 22nd among them by population.
See the full list of Asia countries, or browse all 195 countries.