What does the word Syria mean?

/ ˈsɪər i ə / PHONETIC RESPELLING. noun. Official name Syrian Arab Republic. a republic in SW Asia at the E end of the Mediterranean.

What is Syria known for?

Syria is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a rich artistic and cultural heritage. From its ancient roots to its recent political instability and the Syrian Civil War, the country has a complex and, at times, tumultuous history.

What was Syria originally called?

Assyria
The modern name of Syria is claimed by some scholars to have derived from Herodotus’ habit of referring to the whole of Mesopotamia as ‘Assyria’ and, after the Assyrian Empire fell in 612 BCE, the western part continued to be called ‘Assyria’ until after the Seleucid Empire when it became known as ‘Syria’.

What happened in Syria?

A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria 10 years ago turned into a full-scale civil war. The conflict has left half a million people dead, devastated cities and drawn in other countries.

When was Syria named?

Several sources indicate that the name Syria is derived from the 8th century BC Luwian term “Sura/i”, and the derivative ancient Greek name: Σύριοι, Sýrioi, or Σύροι, Sýroi, both of which originally derived from Aššūrāyu (Assyria) in northern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq).

Is Syria a safe country?

Do not travel to Syria due to terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and risk of unjust detention. Country Summary: The U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in February 2012.

What does Syria mean in Arabic?

The name “Syria” historically referred to a wider region, broadly synonymous with the Levant, and known in Arabic as al-Sham. The modern state encompasses the sites of several ancient kingdoms and empires, including the Eblan civilization of the 3rd millennium BC.

How did Syria get its name?

Geography. The name “Syria” comes from the ancient Greek name for the Syrians “Syrioi,” a shortened form of “Assyria,” which ultimately came from the Akkadian “Assur.” Syria borders the Mediterranean Sea and Lebanon to the west, Israel to the southwest, Jordan to the south, Iraq to the east, and Turkey to the north.