The city is the capial of the Latakia Governorate. Latakia is situated on the Ras Ziyarah promontory and has an excellent harbour, and is the most important port of Syria. Latakia is the trading centre or the northwestern agricultural region. In this region, tobacco, cotton and fruit are grown, and much of it is exported through Latakia.
Local industries are cotton grinning, vegetable oil processing, tanning, fishing and sponge fishing.
Exports from other parts of Syria include bitumen and asphalt, cereals and foodstuffs. Latakia is an important holiday resort for Syrians. The city has a university, the University of Latakia. Latakia, known as Ramitha, is part of the Ugarit kingdom, whose capital is 10 km north. This is also the time when the city gets its name.