Capital of Syria: Damascus — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Syria is Damascus. Syria sits in Asia, has a population of 22,125,249, and uses the SYP. Official languages include Arabic.
Quick facts
- Capital: Damascus
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~22,125,249
- Area: 185,180 km²
- Population density: 119 people per km²
- Official language: Arabic
- Currency: SYP
- ISO code: SY
How big is Syria?
By population, Syria ranks 60th in the world, holding roughly 0.28% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 87th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Syria has 119 people per square kilometre, which is about 2.0 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Syria is the 23th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Syria in population are Sri Lanka (21,832,143) and Mali (22,593,590).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Cambodia (181,035 km²) and Uruguay (176,215 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Arabic is spoken officially in 25 countries in this dataset, including Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros and Djibouti, and 19 others.
Syria uses the SYP, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Syria
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously lived-in cities in the world, so think 'D for Damascus, D for dates back thousands of years'. For the flag, check the stars: three red stars is the current flag.
The flag of Syria: green, white and black, with three red stars
🇸🇾 The flag is since 2025, three horizontal stripes of green, white and black with three red stars on the white stripe; from 1980 to 2024 the flag was red, white and black with two green stars, which older quizzes may still show. Green, white, black and red are the Pan-Arab colours shared by several flags in the region. The three-star flag was Syria's flag when it became independent in 1946, and it was brought back as the official flag in 2025.
Region and neighbours
Syria is a country in Western Asia on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, part of the Levant. It shares land borders with 5 countries: Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon.
- Turkey 🇹🇷 — capital Ankara
- Iraq 🇮🇶 — capital Baghdad
- Jordan 🇯🇴 — capital Amman
- Israel 🇮🇱 — capital Jerusalem
- Lebanon 🇱🇧 — capital Beirut
Three facts about Syria
- Damascus is often listed among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
- The Euphrates River flows through Syria on its way from Turkey to Iraq.
- The ancient city of Palmyra, an oasis in the Syrian Desert, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sources: Wikipedia: Syria, Wikipedia: Flag of Syria, Wikipedia: Damascus, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Syria
- Asian capitals quiz — match Syria to Damascus
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Syria flag among its neighbours
Syria capital quiz
What is the capital of Syria 🇸🇾?
- Vientiane
- Damascus
- Riyadh
- Muscat
Show answer
Damascus
What is the capital of Sri Lanka 🇱🇰?
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Amman
- Colombo
- Islamabad
Show answer
Colombo
What is the capital of Taiwan 🇹🇼?
- Ankara
- Taipei
- Naypyidaw
- Bangkok
Show answer
Taipei
What is the capital of Kazakhstan 🇰🇿?
- Dhaka
- Colombo
- Astana
- Baku
Show answer
Astana
What is the capital of North Korea 🇰🇵?
- Riyadh
- Amman
- Kabul
- Pyongyang
Show answer
Pyongyang
Syria capital quiz tip
The capital of Syria is Damascus. Aleppo, the country's other major city, is the answer quizzes use to catch you out.
Syria is also in the Middle East capitals quiz.
Syria in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Syria belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Syria.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Syria?
The capital of Syria is Damascus.
What is the population of Syria?
About 22,125,249, making it the 60th most populous country in the world.
How big is Syria?
185,180 square kilometres, ranking 87th by land area, at a density of 119 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Syria use?
The SYP, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Syria flag?
The flag of Syria is since 2025, three horizontal stripes of green, white and black with three red stars on the white stripe; from 1980 to 2024 the flag was red, white and black with two green stars, which older quizzes may still show. Green, white, black and red are the Pan-Arab colours shared by several flags in the region. The three-star flag was Syria's flag when it became independent in 1946, and it was brought back as the official flag in 2025.
Which countries border Syria?
Syria shares land borders with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon.
How can I remember the capital of Syria?
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously lived-in cities in the world, so think 'D for Damascus, D for dates back thousands of years'. For the flag, check the stars: three red stars is the current flag.
More capitals to learn
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