Why in the News?
Recently, the US military carried out a strike against the Islamic State group in Syria.
About Syria
Location
- Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
- Lies in southwestern Asia
- Part of the Levant region
Bordering Countries
- North: Turkey
- West: Lebanon
- East: Iraq
- South: Jordan
- Southwest: Israel
Capital City
- Damascus
- One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world
Geographical Features of Syria
Physiographic Division
- Syria has two major natural regions
- Western region
- Eastern region
Western Region
- Narrow and fertile coastal plains
- Lies along the eastern Mediterranean coast
- Supports agriculture and major population centres
Eastern Region
- Dominated by the Syrian Desert
- Composed of dry steppe and true desert landscape
- Sparse population and arid climate
Rivers and Lakes
Major River
- Euphrates River
- Flows across eastern Syria before entering Iraq
- Lifeline for irrigation and settlements
Important Lake
- Lake al Assad
- Man made reservoir on the Euphrates River
- Created by the Tabqa Dam
Deserts and Relief
Desert Region
- Southern and eastern Syria form part of the northern Syrian Desert
- Extends into Iraq and Jordan
Highest Point
- Mount Hermon
- Height: 2,814 metres
- Located near the Syria Lebanon Israel border region
Prelims Pointers
- Syria has a Mediterranean coastline despite being largely desert
- Euphrates is the most important river system of Syria
- Damascus is inland and not a coastal capital
- Syrian Desert links West Asia with Mesopotamia
- Strategic location connecting Asia, Europe and Africa
| [2017] Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries?
1. Jordan 2. Iraq 3. Lebanon 4. Syria Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only |
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