Syria is located in the Middle East, next to the Mediterranean Sea. It borders 5 countries including Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, Lebanon to the west, and Israel to the southwest. The country is known for its cultural history, conflicts, civil war, and is one of the oldest civilizations. The capital of Syria is Damascus. But Aleppo is the most populous city. Other major cities include Homs, Hama, and Latakia. Syria occupies an area of 185,180 square kilometers (71,500 sq mi). In comparison, it’s smaller than Kyrgyzstan but larger than Tunisia.