Syria is not a cohesive geographical entity. It encompasses numerous distinct natural regions and lacks clear, natural borders, resulting in a markedly diverse landscape.
Western Syria consists of a coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea. This long, narrow strip of land runs from north to south, forming a traditional land corridor between the Anatolian Plateau and the Nile River Basin. The port cities of Latakia, Banias, and Tarsus serve as trade hubs on the eastern Mediterranean coast.
East of the coastal plain, central Syria is dominated by a continuous mountain range running north to south.
Further east of the mountains lies an inland plain nourished by the Orontes River. Since the Roman Era, a string of commercial cities has flourished here, including Antioch, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Damascus.
Damascus and Aleppo are the main urban centers of the southern and northern parts of this inland plain, respectively.
