Syria

At a Glance

Syria is a country of extraordinary ancient heritage, with some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, including Damascus and Aleppo, and the desert ruins of Palmyra, whose scale and romance have few equals anywhere in the Middle East. The culture carries a depth of Arab and Levantine tradition expressed in its food, music, and craftsmanship. The country remains inaccessible for most travellers at this time, but its history and culture are among the most significant in the world.

• Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.
• Had one of the Arab world's highest literacy rates before the civil war began.
• Lost roughly half its population to displacement or death since 2011.