The name, Syria, has been applied to this general area for centuries in this ancient land. Today Syria is a modern country located in a strategic portion of the Middle East. People The people of Syria are mainly Arabs. There are also Kurds, Armenians, Turks and Circassaians. The population is well-educated by Middle Eastern standards.
Literacy is the norm among the younger generation.
The climate is mainly mild, especially along the Mediterranean coast. Inland in the mountainous areas it becomes more extreme, especially during winter. History Damascus claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Other archeological finds indicate that the area has been populated for many thousands of years. Modern Syria however, has only existed since after World War I. Because of its strategic location along the coast and the trade routes the land has a history of being fought over.