Syria is a country located in the Middle East, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Its capital is Damascus, which is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Syria has a long and rich history as it was the cradle of many ancient civilizations such as the Aramaic, Phoenician, Roman and Islamic civilizations. Syria is known for its cultural and religious diversity, as it is inhabited by different ethnicities and sects. The official language is Arabic, and Syria enjoys a strategic geographical location that combines mountainous, desert and coastal nature. In recent years, the country has been exposed to a long internal conflict that has led to major changes in the political and social situation.