Marhaba! Welcome to the Cradle of Civilizations—Syria, an ancient land in Western Asia with a history that predates many of the world’s great empires. There are around 24 million people living here, and the capital is Damascus, widely considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The official language is Arabic, but you will also hear Aramaic—the language of Jesus—still spoken in the village of Maaloula.

Syria covers about 185,180 square kilometers (71,500 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as the state of North Dakota in the U.S., or about three-quarters the size of the United Kingdom. Its landscape is a striking mix of the fertile Mediterranean coast, the rugged Anti-Lebanon Mountains, and the vast, golden Syrian Desert.

The most popular sports are Football and Basketball, with a deep passion for the national football team, the “Qasioun Eagles.” Their national animal is the Syrian Brown Bear, though the Hawk of Quraish is the historic symbol appearing on the national emblem.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white, and black with two green stars in the center white stripe, where the red represents the blood shed for freedom, the white stands for a bright future, the black symbolizes the oppressive past that was overcome, and the two stars represent the historic union between Syria and Egypt.

The food is a centerpiece of Middle Eastern gastronomy, famous for its incredible variety and “Meze” culture. You must try Kibbeh, the national dish made of minced meat, cracked wheat, and spices, which can be fried, baked, or grilled. Another favorite is Fatteh, a layered dish of toasted bread, chickpeas, and a cool yogurt-tahini sauce. For a world-famous dessert, look for Baklava or Booza, a traditional stretchy ice cream pounded with large wooden mallets and coated in pistachios.

Syria is home to Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the majestic ruins of an ancient Semitic city that was once a vital stop on the Silk Road. The country features the Crac des Chevaliers, one of the best-preserved medieval crusader castles in the world, perched high on a hill. You can visit the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture that houses a shrine said to contain the head of John the Baptist. For a taste of ancient commerce, explore the Souq al-Hamidiyah, a massive covered market filled with the scent of spices and perfumes. Interestingly, the world’s oldest alphabet, the Ugaritic alphabet, was discovered on a clay tablet in northern Syria!

From the jasmine-scented courtyards of Old Damascus to the historic citadel of Aleppo, Syria is a land of profound heritage and legendary hospitality. Shukran! That means “Thank you!”