Geography of Syria
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Geographic Coordinates
35 00 N, 38 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
184,050 Sq Km.
Water
1,130 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
2,253 Km.
Border Countries
Iraq
605 Km.
Israel
76 Km.
Jordan
375 Km.
Lebanon
375 Km.
Turkey
822 Km.
Length of Coastline
193 Km.
Terrain
Primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
Highest Point
Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural Resources
Petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower
Land Use
Arable Land
25%
Permanent Crops
4%
Other
71%
Irrigated Land
13,330 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Dust storms, sandstorms
Environmental Issues
Deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water.
