Syria, a country in Western Asia, is often in the news, but its size might be hard to visualize. A helpful comparison is to look at how it measures up against a US state. This article explores just how big Syria is by comparing its land area to that of Washington State.
Syria’s Size and Location
Officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, Syria is located in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital city is Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. While its historical and political significance is substantial, understanding its physical size can be challenging without a relatable point of reference.
Comparing Syria to Washington State
Syria covers an area of approximately 185,180 square kilometers (71,498 square miles). Remarkably, this is almost identical to the size of Washington State, which boasts an area of around 184,827 square kilometers (71,397 square miles). The difference in land area is negligible, making Washington State an excellent comparison for understanding Syria’s size.
Population Differences
While their land areas are nearly the same, the populations of Syria and Washington State differ significantly. Syria has a population of roughly 17 million people, whereas Washington State is home to about 7.2 million. This disparity highlights that land area doesn’t necessarily correlate with population density. Syria’s population density is much higher than that of Washington State.
Visualizing the Comparison
Imagine overlaying a map of Washington State onto a map of Syria. The near-perfect fit would visually demonstrate just how similar these two geographically distinct regions are in terms of size. This comparison provides a concrete understanding of Syria’s landmass for those familiar with the size of Washington State.
Conclusion
Syria, despite its prominent role in global affairs, is often misunderstood in terms of its physical size. Comparing it to Washington State provides a clear and easily understandable reference point. While vastly different in terms of population, culture, and geography, the nearly identical land areas of Syria and Washington State offer a valuable perspective on the scale of this Middle Eastern nation.
