Geography of Syria

Syria, a nation in southern Asia, is situated on the Mediterranean Sea's eastern coast. Israel has occupied a portion of the Golan Heights within its boundaries. The modern region is not the same as ancient Syria, which was a lush strip of land positioned between the eastern Mediterranean coast and the northern Arabian desert. The country's capital is located in an oasis at the base of Mount Qsiyn in Damascus (Dimashq), on the Barad River.

Syria's capital, Damascus, is the second-largest city in the country, and its metropolitan area has its own governorate. Syria's principal Mediterranean Sea ports are Tartus and Latakia.

Physical Features

Syria is situated near the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea in West Asia, north of the Arabian Peninsula. Jordan is its southern neighbour, followed by Lebanon and Israel in the west and southwest, Iraq in the east, and Turkey to the north. It is made up of steep terrain inland and mountain ranges towards the west. The Syrian Desert is to the east, and the Jabal al-Druze Range is to the south.

The Euphrates valley divides the first from the second. The largest lake in Syria, Lake Assad, was created by a reservoir created by a Euphrates dam constructed in 1973. Mount Hermon, which rises 2,814 meters (9,232 feet) above sea level and borders Lebanon, is Syria's highest point.

Three-quarters of the country is covered by a semiarid, steep zone that receives hot, dry winds sweeping over the desert from the dry desert regions and the dry Mediterranean coast. Deserts, grasslands, and mountains cover around 185,180 square kilometers of the region.

A short, double mountain belt surrounding a depression in the west separates it into a coastal zone and a considerably bigger eastern plateau. The Mediterranean Sea runs along Syria's relatively short coastline for 180 kilometers (110 miles), between Turkey and Lebanon. Along the coastline, low cliffs and rocky headlands alternate with sandy bays.

Climate

A long dry season from May to October characterizes the Mediterranean climate along the coast and in the western mountains. There is summertime rain in the far northwest. While the moderate winters on the coast have daily mean minimum temperatures reaching the low 50s F (low 10s C), the summers are hot with mean daily maximum temperatures in the low to mid-80s F (upper 20s C). Summers are only really cool above 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). With harsher winters and hotter summers, the climate becomes dry further inland.

In summer, Damascus and Aleppo see typical highs in the 90s F (mid-30s C), while winter lows range from the mid-30s to low 40s F (1 to 4 °C). Maximum summertime temperatures in the desert at Tadmur and Dayr al-Zawr range from the upper 90s to the low 100s F (upper 30s to low 40s C), with peaks in the mid- to upper 110s F (mid- to upper 40s C). Away from the shore, snow is a possibility in the winter, and frosts are frequent.

Every year, 30 to 40 inches (760 to 1000 mm) of precipitation falls on the western mountains and the shore. The predominant winds in winter come from the east, north, and west. The predominant winds in the summer are westerly or northerly. Summertime winds in the coastal region are westerly during the day and easterly at night. A wall of sand is raised once or twice a year by sand-carrying winds called khamsin.

Flora and Fauna

On the mountain slopes, fir, lime, and yew trees flourish. The Euphrates Valley is the home of the date palm. Grain crops, olive, grape, apricot, oak, and poplar trees grow in both coastal and inland regions. Along the seaside, lemon and orange trees are found. Many slopes are covered in garigue, a deteriorated Mediterranean shrub, and maquis, a dense underbrush. Only a very small portion of the nation's overall land area is covered with forests, which are largely located in highlands, particularly in the Al-Anariyyah highlands.

To the south, a variety of glossy-leaved, prickly, drought-resistant shrubs are common, including myrtle, boxwood, turpentine, broom, arbutus, and wild olive. Sumac, which is used as a spice, wild pistachio, laurel, which is used to make cosmetics, and mulberry, whose leaves are fed to silkworms are a few examples of forest plants that are significant commercially. Tobacco leaves are smoked on pine tree branches.

There are not many wild animals. In some isolated regions, wolves, hyenas, foxes, badgers, wild boars, and jackals can still be seen. In the desert, creatures like gazelles and jerboas (nocturnal jumping rodents) can be found, along with deer, bears, squirrels, and tiny carnivores like martens and polecats. The desert is home to many chameleons, vipers, and lizards.

In the highlands, you can often see falcons, buzzards, kites, and eagles. Mosquitoes, sandflies, grasshoppers, and even locusts are among the pesky insects. In the mountains, the mule and the camel are both used as pack animals. Horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens are examples of other domesticated animals. Some people also rear bees.

Drainage

The Euphrates River is Syria's sole navigable river and its most significant water source. It starts in Turkey and moves through Syria's eastern countryside in a south-easterly direction. The main river in the hilly area is the Orontes. It originates in Lebanon, travels through the highlands and the Ghāb Depression on its way north, and finally empties into the Mediterranean close to Antioch, Turkey.

The Jabal Al-Durūz and Ḥawrān regions are drained by the Yarmūk River, a Jordan River tributary, which also forms a portion of the country's southwest border with Jordan. The majority of the nation's drainage is subterranean. A comparatively small region is made up of impervious rocks, which are composed of clay, marl (clay, sand, or silt), and greensand. About half of the country is made up of porous rocks, most of which are sandstone or chalk.

Soils

Vegetation only has a minor impact on soil composition due to aridity. The soils lack organic matter and phosphate, with the exception of the black soil near Al-Jazīrah's northeast. Different clays and loams (combinations of clay, sand, and silt) are the most prevalent soil types. Some of them are calcareous (chalky), whereas others, particularly in the Euphrates valley region, contain gypsum. The Ghāb Depression and the Euphrates and its tributary valleys are the key locations for alluvial soils.

Conclusion

Syria's varied geography ranges from coastal plains to mountains and deserts, and it is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Damascus, the nation's capital, is situated in an oasis between Mount Qsiyn and the Barad River. Its topography is characterized by steep terrain, mountain ranges, and the Euphrates River. Syria has a varied climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons, ranging from Mediterranean at the coast to desert inland.

The country's wildlife spans from gazelles and jerboas in the desert to different birds in the highlands, and its flora includes a variety of tree types. A vital supply of water is the Euphrates, while the hilly area is traversed by the Orontes River. Clays and loams make up the majority of the nation's soils, with alluvial deposits in river basins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are Syria's neighbours?

Syria is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and southeast, Jordan to the south, and Lebanon and Israel to the southwest.

What are the key geographical features of Syria?

Syria's landscape includes coastal plains, mountain ranges, deserts, and river valleys, notably the Euphrates and Orontes Rivers.

How is the climate like in Syria?

Syria has a Mediterranean climate along the coast, with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

What is the significance of the Euphrates River?

The Euphrates is Syria's primary navigable river and a crucial water source, originating in Turkey and flowing through the country's eastern countryside.

What types of wildlife can be found in Syria?

Syria's wildlife includes gazelles, jerboas, various bird species, wolves, foxes, badgers, and hyenas, among others.