View source for Latakia

{{short description|City in Syria}}
{{About|the city|the governorate|Latakia Governorate|other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Latakia
| official_name      = Lattakia
| other_name         = Lattaki
| native_name        = {{lang|ar|ٱللَّاذْقِيَّة}} / {{lang|ar|ٱللَّاذِقِيَّة}}<!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| named_for          = [[Laodice of Macedonia]]
| nickname           = "Bride of the Mediterranean"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://syriatimes.sy/index.php/tourism/22859-meshquita-treasure-trove-of-sparkling-springs-and-lush-forests|title=Meshquita; treasure trove of sparkling springs and lush forests|last=Hamsa|website=syriatimes.sy|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073735/http://syriatimes.sy/index.php/tourism/22859-meshquita-treasure-trove-of-sparkling-springs-and-lush-forests|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Syria|City]]
| motto              = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
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|total_width = 300
|image1 = Latakia downtown view (cropped).jpg
|caption1 = Downtown view
|image2 = Lazkiye Suriye - panoramio.jpg
|caption2 = The governor's palace
|image3 = Latakia harbour.jpg
|caption3 = [[Port of Latakia]]
|image4 = Museum of Latakia, Syria.jpg
|caption4 = [[National Museum of Latakia]]
|image5 = Municipal stadium latakia 2009-05-23.jpg
|caption5 = [[Latakia Municipal Stadium]]
|image6 = Latakia Sports City aerial view in 1991.jpg
|caption6 = [[Latakia Sports City]]
}}
| image_flag         = 
| flag_size          = 
| image_seal         = Latakia - Seal.jpg
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| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Syria#Mediterranean east#Asia
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| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Latakia within Syria
<!-- Location ------------------>| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} [[Syria]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Governorates of Syria|Governorate]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Latakia Governorate]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Syria|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Latakia District]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Nahiyah|Subdistrict]]
| subdivision_name3  = Latakia Subdistrict
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Governor
| leader_name        = Muhammad Othman<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sana.sy/?p=2153769|title=الرئيس الأسد يصدر مَراسيم بتعيين محافظين جدد لخمس محافظات|trans-title=President Al-Assad issues decrees appointing new governors for five governorates|date=17 October 2024|access-date=17 October 2024|publisher=SANA}}</ref>{{update inline|date=March 2025|reason=Likely no longer relevant following the fall of Assad}}
| leader_title1      = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Founded<!-- Settled -->
| established_date   = 4th Century [[Anno Domini|BC]]<ref name="est."/>
| founder            = [[Basileus|King]] [[Seleucus I Nicator]]
| established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
| established_date2  = 
| established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date3  = <!-- Area    --------------------->
| area_magnitude     = 
| unit_pref          = Metric <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 58
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| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 108
<!-- Population   ----------------------->| population_as_of   = 2023 Estimate
| population_footnotes = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 709,000<ref name="auto">[https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22614/lattakia/population#:~:text=The%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%201.98%25%20increase%20from%202020.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217204151/https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22614/lattakia/population#:~:text=The%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%201.98%25%20increase%20from%202020. |date=2023-02-17 }} Macrotrends. “Lattakia, Syria Metro Area Population 1950-2023.”</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro   = 709,000
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_urban   = 
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| population_demonym = {{langx|ar|لاذقاني|Lādhqani}}
<!-- General information  --------------->| coordinates        = {{Coord|35|31|N|35|47|E|region:SY-LA_type:city(384,000)|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m        = 11
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->| postal_code_type   = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code        = 
| area_codes         = Country code: 963 <br /> City code: 41
| geocode            = C3480
| blank_name         = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info         = [[Hot-summer Mediterranean|Csa]]
| blank_name_sec2    = [[International airport]]
| blank_info_sec2    = [[Latakia Airport]]
| timezone           = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset         = +2
| timezone_DST       = [[EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +3
| website            = [http://www.esyria.sy/elatakia/ eLatakia]
| footnotes          = 
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-zoom      = 11
| mapframe-wikidata  = yes
}}

'''Latakia''' ({{IPAc-en|l|æ|t|@|'|k|i:|ə|}}; {{langx|ar|ٱللَّاذْقِيَّة|translit=al-Lādhqiyya}}; <small> [[Syrian Arabic|Syrian]] pronunciation:</small> {{IPA|ar|el.laːdˈʔɪjje, -laːðˈqɪjja|}}), officially '''Lattakia''',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-02 |title=Ukraine supplies 23,500 tons of wheat to Syria via Lattakia port - Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) |url=https://sana.sy/en/economic/2275540/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-27 |title=Authorities in Lattakia arrest Military Prosecutor Linked to deposed Regime - Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) |url=https://sana.sy/en/governorates-news/latakia/2274513/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> is the principal port city of [[Syria]] and capital city of the [[Latakia Governorate]] located on the [[Mediterranean]] coast. Historically, it has also been known as '''[[Laodicea in Syria]]''' or '''Laodicea ad Mare'''. In addition to serving as a port, the city is a significant manufacturing center for surrounding agricultural towns and villages. According to a 2023 estimate, the population of the city is 709,000,<ref>{{cite web |title=Macrotrends |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22614/lattakia/population |website=Latakia Population |publisher=Macrotrends |access-date=2023-02-17 |archive-date=2023-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217204151/https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22614/lattakia/population |url-status=live }}</ref> its population greatly increased as a result of the [[Syrian Revolution]], which led to an influx of [[internally displaced person]]s from rebel held areas. It is the [[List of cities in Syria|5th-largest city]] in Syria after [[Aleppo]], [[Damascus]], [[Homs]] and [[Hama]]. [[Cape Apostolos Andreas]], the north-eastern tip of [[Cyprus]], is about {{convert|109|km|mi}} away.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/22/content_6774726.htm |title=Syrian swimmer crosses over waters between Cyprus, Syria |access-date=2016-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011035834/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/22/content_6774726.htm |archive-date=2016-10-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Although the site of the city has been inhabited since the 2nd millennium BC, the city was founded as a Greek city in the 4th century BC under the rule of the Greek  [[Seleucid Empire]].<ref name="est.">{{Cite book|last=Pandey|first=Akhil|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ImiDDwAAQBAJ&q=latakia+was+founded+in+4th+century+BC&pg=PT258|title=EURODASH79: The Quest - Inspired and Relentless Search for the True Knowledge, Culture & Values|date=2019-01-10|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-93-88134-59-0|language=en|access-date=2021-02-14|archive-date=2023-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923073527/https://books.google.com/books?id=ImiDDwAAQBAJ&q=latakia+was+founded+in+4th+century+BC&pg=PT258|url-status=live}}</ref> Latakia was subsequently ruled by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] and [[Byzantine]]s, followed by the [[Rashidun Caliphate|Rashiduns]], [[Ummayad]]s and [[Abbasid]]s during the 7th–10th centuries AD. [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] ruling groups frequently attacked the city, periodically recapturing it before losing it again to Arab powers, particularly the [[Fatimid]]s. Afterward, Latakia was ruled successively by the [[Seljuk Turks]], [[Crusades|Crusaders]], [[Ayyubid]]s, [[Mamluk Sultanate|Mamluks]], and the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]]. Following [[World War I]], Latakia was assigned to the [[French mandate of Syria]], in which it served as the capital of the autonomous territory of the [[Alawite]]s. This autonomous territory became the [[Alawite State]] in 1922, proclaiming its independence a number of times until reintegrating into Syria in 1944.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lefèvre|first=Raphaël|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99pMAgAAQBAJ&q=alawite+state+reintegrating+into+Syria+in+1944&pg=PA244|title=Ashes of Hama: The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria|date=2013|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-933062-1|language=en|access-date=2021-02-14|archive-date=2023-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923073528/https://books.google.com/books?id=99pMAgAAQBAJ&q=alawite+state+reintegrating+into+Syria+in+1944&pg=PA244|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Distinguish|Laodicea ad Lycum}}
Like many Greek  [[Seleucid Empire|Seleucid]] cities, Latakia was named after a member of the ruling dynasty.<ref name="le Strange380"/> It was first called ''Laodikeia on the Coast'' ({{Langx|el|Λαοδίκεια ἡ Πάραλος}}) by [[Seleucus I Nicator]] in honor of his mother, [[Laodice of Macedonia|Laodice]]. In [[Latin]], its name became ''Laodicea ad Mare''. The original name survives in its [[Arabic language|Arabic]] form as ''al-Ladhiqiyyah'' ({{langx|ar|اللاذقية}}), from which the [[French language|French]] ''Lattaquié'' and [[English language|English]] ''Latakia'' (or ''Lattakia)'' derive.<ref name="le Strange380">le Strange, 1890, p.380.</ref><ref name="Ball">Ball, 2000, p.157</ref> To the Ottomans, it was known as Lazkiye.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Tajikistan on the move : statebuilding and societal transformations |date=2018 |others=Marlène Laruelle |isbn=978-1-4985-4652-2 |location=Lanham, Maryland |pages=177 |oclc=1030444167}}</ref>

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Latakia}}

===Ancient settlement and founding===
The location of Latakia, the '''Ras Ziyarah''' [[promontory]],<ref>"Ras Ziyarah", literally, "Cape of Visitation ([[Ziyarah]])"</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=National Geospatial-intelligence Agency|title=Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 Eastern Mediterranean Enroute|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=elzyK_4aWPUC&q=%22Ras+Ziyarah%22&pg=PA38|year=2005|publisher=ProStar Publications|page=38|isbn=9781577856573|access-date=2020-11-06|archive-date=2023-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923073528/https://books.google.com/books?id=elzyK_4aWPUC&q=%22Ras+Ziyarah%22&pg=PA38|url-status=live}}</ref> has a long history of occupation. The [[Phoenicia]]n city of Ramitha was located here.{{sfn|La Boda|1994|p=451}} [[Stephanus of Byzantium]] writes that the city was named Ramitha ({{langx|grc|Ῥάμιθα}}), then ''Leukê Aktê'' ("white coast") ({{langx|grc|Λευκὴ ἀκτή}}) and later Laodicea ({{langx|grc|Λαοδίκεια}}).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://topostext.org/work/241#L411.7 |title=Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica, §L411.7 |access-date=2019-10-28 |archive-date=2021-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410155716/https://topostext.org/work/241#L411.7 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city was described in [[Strabo]]'s ''[[Geographica]]'':<ref>{{Citation
 |last         = Strabo
 |author-link  = Strabo
 |title        = The Geography of Strabo
 |url          = https://books.google.com/books?id=0cZfAAAAMAAJ&q=Strabo+geography
 |year         = 1857
 |page         = 164
 |isbn         = 978-0-521-85306-4
 |access-date  = 2020-11-06
 |archive-date = 2023-09-23
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20230923073528/https://books.google.com/books?id=0cZfAAAAMAAJ&q=Strabo+geography
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>
{{blockquote|
It is a city most beautifully built, has a good harbour, and has territory which, besides its other good crops, abounds in wine. Now this city furnishes the most of the wine to the Alexandreians, since the whole of the mountain that lies above the city and is possessed by it is covered with vines almost as far as the summits. And while the summits are at a considerable distance from Lāŏdĭcḗa, sloping up gently and gradually from it, they tower above Apameia, extending up to a perpendicular height.}}

===Roman rule===
{{Main|Laodicea in Syria}}

[[File:Latakia Tetraporticus 4036.jpg|upright|alt=|left|thumb|[[Latakia Tetraporticus]], built by [[Septimius Severus]] in AD 193]]
[[Pompey the Great]] conquered the city along with most of Syria in the 1st century BC, and [[Julius Caesar]] declared the city a "free polis." The Roman emperor Septimius Severus rewarded the city with the title of "Metropolis" in the 2nd century AD, exempted it of the empire's taxation, fortified the city, made it for a few years the capital of [[Roman Syria]] and also built the city's famed Tetraporticus around the same time. Some Roman merchants moved to live in the city under [[Augustus]], but the city was always culturally "Greek" influenced. Subsequently, a [[Roman road]] was built from southern [[Anatolia]] toward [[Berytus]] and Damascus, that greatly improved the commerce through the port of Laodicea.

The heretic [[Apollinaris of Laodicea|Apollinarius]] was bishop of Lāŏdĭcḗa in the 4th century. The city minted coins from an early date, but decreasing in importance after the cities of Alexandria and Antioch flourished in coin minting and overshadowed other cities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Featured Coin |url=http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/feac62mac.html |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113258/http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/feac62mac.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city was also famed for its wine produced around the port's hills which were exported to all the empire.

During the split of the [[Roman Empire]], it belonged to the [[Eastern Roman Empire]]. An earthquake damaged the city in 494, but the city was later reconstructed by [[Justinian I]] and made the capital of the [[Theodorias (province)|Eastern Roman province of Theodorias]] from 528 AD until Muslim conquest around 637 AD.
[[File:Latakia peripteral temple remains 4056.jpg|upright|alt=Temple of Bacchus|thumb|Ruins of the Temple of Bacchus in Latakia]]

===Early Islamic era===
All of Syria, including the Roman province of Theodorias and its capital, [[Siege of Latakia (Laodicea) (636)|Laodicea fell]] into Muslim rule after being attacked by a caliphate general, named [['Ubadah ibn al-Samit]] during the [[Muslim conquest of Syria]] in the 7th century. The city was renamed al-Lādhiqīyah (اللَّاذِقِيَّة) and switched rule from the [[Rashidun Caliphate]], to the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] and finally to the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] in a span of 9 centuries, attached to the large province of [[Bilad Al-Sham]] (Greater Syria). Arab geographer, [[Al-Muqaddasi]] (d. 991), mentions al-Lādhiqīyah as belonging to the district of Hims ([[Homs, Syria|Homs]]).<ref>Al-Muqaddasi, ''The Best Divisions for Knowledge of the Regions'' (Being a translation of "Ahsan al-Taqasim fi Maʿrifat al-Aqalim"), Reading 1994, p. 141 {{ISBN|1-873938-14-4}}</ref>

===Crusader, Ayyubid, and Mamlouk rule===
[[File:Lattakia,CatholicChurch.jpg|thumb|upright|The Latin Church of Latakia, also known as the [[Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Latakia)|Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus]]]]
The [[Mardaites]] controlled the region from [[Jebel Aqra]] to northern [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], including Latakia in 705. However, they later withdrew from the city after an agreement with the Umayyad caliph [[Al-Walid I]]. Afterwards, the Mardaites sacked it in 719, but it was rebuilt by [[Umar II]]. The city lost its importance due to its location on the border between the [[Byzantine Empire]] and the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] from 750 to 968. The famous poet [[Al-Mutanabbi]] led a millenarian revolt at Latakia in 930.{{sfn|Winter|2016|p=26-27}} The Byzantine Empire recaptured the city in 970 by [[John I Tzimiskes]], but it was lost to the [[Fatimids]] in 980. The [[Banu Munqidh]] managed to control the city until they were succeeded by the [[Seljuks]] during the reign of [[Malik-Shah I]] in 1086, despite a brief Byzantine control in 1074. Later on, [[Guynemer of Boulogne]] raided the city on 19 August 1097, with 28 ships coming from [[Cyprus]] during the [[First Crusade]]. In 1098, [[Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse|Raymond of Saint-Gilles]] captured the city, with the Byzantine fleet presence; hence, the city became contested between the crusaders and the Byzantines who controlled Latakia and [[Baniyas]] in the meantime.{{sfn|La Boda|1994|p=453}}

After failed efforts by [[Bohemond I of Antioch]] to capture Latakia from the Byzantine Empire in 1099, and a brief control of the [[Republic of Genoa|Genoese]] fleet in 1101, the city was taken in 1103 by forces under the command of [[Tancred, Prince of Galilee|Tancred of Hauteville]], a veteran of the First Crusade and acting regent of the [[Principality of Antioch]].<ref>Thomas Asbridge, The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land, (London: Simon & Schuster, 2010), pp.137–138.</ref> Following the defeat of Antiochene forces at the [[Battle of Harran]] in 1104, the city was reoccupied by the Byzantines led by Admiral [[Cantacuzenus]],<ref>[[Steven Runciman]] (1951). ''A History of the Crusades. Vol II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem'', p. 37. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29876-3}}.</ref> however they would again lose the city. Despite a treaty in 1108 with Bohemond promising to return Latakia to the Byzantine Empire by 1110 it was firmly under the control of the Principality of Antioch,<ref>Thomas Asbridge, The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land, (London: Simon & Schuster, 2010), pp.137–144.</ref> as it was called "La Liche". In 1126, the cities of Latakia and [[Jabala]] were the dowry of Princess [[Alice of Antioch|Alice]], daughter of King [[Baldwin II of Jerusalem]], who later donated a house in Latakia to the [[Knights Hospitaller]], which became their main base in the region. In April 1136, the city was sacked by Emir Sawar ibn Aytakin, governor of [[Aleppo]], then it was struck by the [[1157 Hama earthquake]] and the [[1170 Syria earthquake]].{{sfn|La Boda|1994|p=453}}

This situation remained the same with the city serving as the primary port for the Principality until it was captured following a [[Siege of Laodicea (1188)|siege]] by the [[Ayyubids]], under the rule of [[Saladin]] on 23 July 1188. By 1260, the crusaders recaptured the city, until they were defeated by the [[Mamluks]] of [[Qalawun]],<ref>Thomas Asbridge, The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land, (London: Simon & Schuster, 2010), p.637.</ref> on 20 April 1287.

In circa 1300, Arab geographer [[Al-Dimashqi (geographer)|al-Dimashqi]] noted that Latakia had no running water and that trees were scarce, but the city's port was "a wonderful harbor... full of large ships".<ref>al-Dimashqi quoted in le Strange, 1890, p.491.</ref> In 1332, the Moroccan traveller [[Ibn Battuta]] visited Latakia in his journeys.<ref>The adventures of Ibn Battuta, a Muslim traveler of the fourteenth century By Ross E. Dunn, University of California Press. pp.137.</ref>

During the late 14th and 15th century, [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]] had a consul in Latakia, due to the trade of cotton and silk from Persia.{{sfn|Ashtor|2014|p=121}} The city which was in despair was rebuilt after a visit by [[Qaitbay]] in 1477.

An [[Alawite]] community was first established in Latakia by the missionary Abu Sa'id al-Tabarani (d. 1034) in the early 11th century. From then on it spread northward and into the coastal mountain range.{{sfn|Winter|2016|p=27-28, 30-31, 53}}

===Ottoman rule===
[[File:Museum of Latakia, Syria.jpg|thumb|left|The [[National Museum of Latakia]], a previous Ottoman era [[Khan (inn)|khan]]]]
Latakia came under the Ottoman control after the [[Battle of Marj Dabiq]] in 1516. It had a population of about 1400–1700 in the 16th century.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Winter |first=Stefan |title=Latakia (al-Lādhiqiyya), Ottoman period |url=https://www.academia.edu/40401788 |journal=Encyclopaedia of Islam III, 2019}}</ref> From the late 17th century onward it was ruled by the Ibn al-Matarji family, some of whose members would go on to become governors of [[Damascus Eyalet]].{{sfn|Winter|2010|p=107}} Under their leadership, and the development of the tobacco industry in the same period, the town developed rapidly in the 18th century. Several churches were rebuilt or restored and the [[Azm family]] of governors established several new foundations in the city. The British, French and Spanish established consulates in the city, so that by mid-century Latakia was serving as co-capital of the entire province (''eyalet'') of [[Tripoli, Lebanon]].{{sfn|Winter|2016|p=136-141}}
[[File:Illustration from Views in the Ottoman Dominions by Luigi Mayer, digitally enhanced by rawpixel-com 44.jpg|thumb|left|Port of Latakia, painted by [[Luigi Mayer]] (1810)]]

In 1824, the Ottomans named Muhammad Paşa ibn Alman, a native of the area who was suspected of being an [[Alawite]] and a French sympathizer, governor of Latakia. He was killed in an urban revolt later that year that was inspired by the fundamentalist shaykh Muhammad al-Moghrabi.{{sfn|Winter|2016|p=174-175, 179-181}} During the Egyptian occupation of Syria (1831–1841) there was a major [[Alawite revolt (1834-1835)]] in both the town and the surrounding countryside.{{sfn|Winter|2016|p=184-190}}

In 1888, when [[Wilaya]]t Beirut was established, Latakia became its northernmost town.<ref>Dumper, 2007, p.84</ref>

In the Ottoman period{{when|date=September 2015}}, the region of Latakia became predominantly [[Alawites|Alawi]]. The [[Syrian Turkmen|Turkmen]] also consisted a significant minority. The city itself, however, contained significant numbers of [[Sunni]] and Christian inhabitants. The landlords in the countryside tended to be Sunni and Orthodox Christians, while the peasants were mostly Alawi. Like the [[Druze]]s, who also had a special status before the end of World War I, the Alawis had a strained relationship with the Ottoman overlords. In fact, they were not even given the status of [[millet (Ottoman Empire)|millet]], although they enjoyed relative autonomy.<ref name="Rabinovich">Rabinovich, 1979, p.694</ref>

===French Mandate period===
{{Main|Alawite State}}

[[File:LatakiaJulesJammalSchool.jpg|thumb|One of the oldest schools in Latakia was previous mandatory-era barracks, and later school. It was subsequently named after [[Jules Jammal]] and known ever since as the 'Jules Jammal School']]
In 1920, Latakia fell under the French mandate, under which the Alawite State was established. The state was named after the locally-dominant Alawites and became a French [[mandate territory]] after World War&nbsp;I.<ref name = "blag">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Syria.html#Alawite+Territory|title=Syria|first=Ben|last=Cahoon|website=worldstatesmen.org|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-date=17 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217235403/http://worldstatesmen.org/Syria.html#Alawite+Territory|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[French Mandate]] from the [[League of Nations]] began in 1920.<ref>Provence, Michael. "The Great Syrian Revolt and the Rise of Arab Nationalism." Austin: [[University of Texas Press]], 2005.</ref> The creation of the Alawite State, as well as the other states of Syria under the French Mandate, has often been interpreted as a "[[divide and rule]]" strategy by the French, who sought to undermine anti-colonial nationalist movements. The French justified the creation of the Alawite state by citing the "backwardness" of the mountain-dwellers, religiously distinct from the surrounding Sunni population; they claimed that the division protected the Alawi people from more-powerful Sunni majorities.<ref name="L">Longrigg, Stephen Hemsley. "Syria and Lebanon Under French Mandate." London: Oxford University Press, 1958.</ref>
[[File:Stamp Alaouites 1926 10pi air.jpg|thumb|left|A 10-piastre stamp of Syria used in the Alawite State]]
This division by the French administration in Syria did not stop Alawites such as [[Sheikh Saleh al-Ali]], who led the [[Syrian Revolt of 1919]], in continuing to protest French rule. Saleh al-Ali coordinated with the leaders of other anti-French revolts in the country, including the revolt of [[Ibrahim Hananu]] in the [[Aleppo]] countryside and [[Subhi Barakat]]'s revolt in [[Antioch]], but Saleh al-Ali's revolt was put down in 1921. A French court-martial in Latakia sentenced Shaykh Saleh to death in absentia and offered a reward of 100,000 francs for information on his whereabouts. After the French gave up trying to capturing Shaykh Saleh, a pardon was issued by General [[Henri Gouraud (general)|Henri Gouraud]].

The state became part of the Syrian Federation in 1922, but it left the federation again in 1924. In 1930, the Alawite State was renamed as the Government of Latakia, the only concession by the French to Arab nationalists until 1936.<ref name="K">Khoury, Philip S. ''Syria and the French Mandate: The Politics of Arab Nationalism, 1920–1945''. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1987.</ref> On 3 December 1936, it was decided that the Alawite state would be re-incorporated into Syria as a concession by the French to the [[National Bloc (Syria)|Nationalist Bloc]], which was the ruling party of the semi-autonomous Syrian government; the decision went into effect in 1937.<ref>Shambrook, Peter A. "French Imperialism in Syria, 1927–1936." Reading: Ithaca Press, 1998.</ref>

There was a great deal of Alawite separatist sentiment in the region, but their political views could not be coordinated into a unified voice.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Khoury |first=Philip S. |title=Syria and the French mandate : the politics of Arab nationalism, 1920-1945 |date=1987 |isbn=978-1-4008-5839-2 |location=Princeton, New Jersey |oclc=889254547}}</ref> There was also a great deal of factionalism amongst the Alawite tribes, and the Alawite State was incorporated into Syria with little organised resistance.<ref name="K"/>

In 1942, the Latakia and Druze regions were returned to Syrian control, and by 1946, the French completely left Syria and [[Second Syrian Republic|a new independent government]] was created.

===Modern era===
[[File:Lattakia 1970.jpg|thumb|Latakia in 1970]]
All but a few classical buildings had been destroyed by the modern era, often by earthquakes; those remaining include a Roman triumphal arch and [[Corinthian column]]s known as the Colonnade of [[Dionysus|Bacchus]].<ref name="Britannica"/> However, important remains from the city at Roman and Hellenistic periods including full body statues, Roman funerary art, and column capitals that once belonged to the ancient city, now found in its national museum.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.esyria.sy/elatakia/index.php?p=stories&category=ruins&filename=200903181410064 |title=متحف "اللاذقية" الوطني الذي كان خانا للدخان... (In Arabic) |access-date=2022-06-24 |archive-date=2017-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225203402/http://www.esyria.sy/elatakia/index.php?p=stories&category=ruins&filename=200903181410064 |url-status=live }}</ref>

An extensive port project was proposed in 1948, and construction work began on the [[Port of Latakia]] in 1950, aided by a [[United States dollar|US$]]6&nbsp;million loan from [[Saudi Arabia]]. By 1951, the first stage of its construction was completed, and the port handled an increasing amount of Syria's overseas trade.<ref>[http://tcc-syr.com/projectview.php?id=30 1980–1983 ''Expansion of Lattakia Harbor – Lattakia.'' T. C. C.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616080432/http://tcc-syr.com/projectview.php?id=30 |date=2018-06-16 }} Pictures of the expanding harbour</ref>

In August 1957, 4,000 Egyptian troops landed in Latakia under orders from [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]] after [[Turkish army|Turkish troops]] massed along the border with Syria, accusing it of harboring [[Communist Party of Turkey (historical)|Turkish Communists]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Podeh|1999|pp=43}}</ref>

A major highway linked Latakia with Aleppo and the [[Euphrates]] valley starting in 1968, supplemented by the completion of a railway line to [[Homs]]. The port became even more important after 1975 due to the troubled situation in Lebanon and the loss of Beirut and Tripoli as functioning ports.<ref name="Ring5">Ring, 1994, p.455</ref>

In 1973, during the [[Yom Kippur War|October War]] (Yom Kippur War), the naval [[Battle of Latakia]] between [[Israel]] and Syria was fought just offshore from the city. The battle was the first to be fought using [[missile]]s and [[electronic countermeasures|ECM]] (electronic countermeasures).<ref>{{Citation|last=Betts|first=Richard K.|author-link=Richard K. Betts|title=Cruise Missile: Technology, Strategy and Politics|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|year=1982|page=381|isbn=978-0-8157-0931-2 }}</ref>

On 2 September 1979 clashes broke out following the assassination of an [[Alawite]] religious leader in the city. The following day 2,000 paratroopers, commanded by [[Rifaat al-Assad]], were sent to restore order. In the violence that followed around forty people were killed including ten pilots from the Latakia air base.<ref>[[Middle East International]] No 108, 14 September 1979; [[Helena Cobban]] p.6 total killed and massacre of pilots, chronology pp.12-13 assassination and arrival of paratroopers</ref>

In 1987, the city hosted the [[1987 Mediterranean Games|tenth round]] of the [[Mediterranean Games]], with the opening ceremony hosted by [[Hafez al-Assad]] in the [[Latakia Sports City]], a sports complex designed specifically to host the games. The [[Latakia Sports City Stadium]] served as the main venue for the games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esyria.sy/elatakia/index.php?p=stories&category=places&filename=200808031135013|title=موقع اللاذقية – مدينة "الأسد" الرياضية...متنفس واسع لأهل المدينة وزوارهم|website=esyria.sy|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103244/http://www.esyria.sy/elatakia/index.php?p=stories&category=places&filename=200808031135013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1994, the city's population reached 303,000, with that number significantly rising to 383,786 by 2004.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB06-1-2004.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-06-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317032446/http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB06-1-2004.htm |archive-date=2013-03-17 }}</ref> Although population assessment in recent years has become difficult due to the ongoing civil war, the city's population is estimated to have risen drastically in the 2010s due to the influx of refugees from the cities of Aleppo, Idlib and other cities which have been affected by the ongoing war.

====Syrian Civil War====
{{anchor|civilwar}}
During the Syrian Civil War, Latakia had been a site of [[demonstration (people)|protest activity]] since March 2011. The Syrian government claimed 12 were killed there in clashes in late March,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?ID=254868|agency=NOW Lebanon|date=27 March 2011|access-date=15 August 2011|title=Twelve killed in Saturday's Latakia protests, presidential adviser says|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814080339/http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?ID=254868|archive-date=14 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> leading to the deployment of the military to restrict movement into and out of the city. Hundreds of Syrians were reportedly arrested, and by late July, activists in Latakia were telling foreign media they feared a more violent crackdown was coming. Protests continued despite the increased security presence and arrests. Several civilians were allegedly killed in confrontations with security officers during this early period of the siege.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/07/syria-protesters-in-lattakia-brave-security-forces.html|agency=The Los Angeles Times|date=25 July 2011|access-date=15 August 2011|title=SYRIA: Protesters in Lattakia brave security forces|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104184119/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/07/syria-protesters-in-lattakia-brave-security-forces.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 August 2011, the [[Syrian Army]] and [[Syrian Navy]] [[Siege of Latakia (2011)|launched an operation]] where more than 20 tanks and [[armoured personnel carrier|APCs]] rolled into the Alawi stronghold.<ref name="enters">{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/2011813103322136544.html|date=13 August 2011|access-date=13 August 2011|agency=Al Jazeera English|title=Syrian army 'enters western coastal city'|archive-date=19 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019073834/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/08/2011813103322136544.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The city was also attacked by the Syrian army on 14 August 2011. Activists claimed that 25 people died during the attack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181475734965763.html |title=Syrian 'warships shell port city of Latakia' |date=14 August 2011 <!-- 14:32  --> |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=14 August 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929002015/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181475734965763.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Russian military aircraft at Latakia, Syria (1).jpg|thumb|A [[Russia]]n military aircraft in [[Khmeimim Air Base]], one of Russia's main bases of operation in Syria]]
Latakia is the home of Russia's largest foreign [[Signals intelligence|SIGINT]] facility.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/dec/23/syria-crisis-russian-military-presence Russian military presence in Syria poses challenge to US-led intervention] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415104033/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/dec/23/syria-crisis-russian-military-presence |date=2019-04-15 }} The Guardian, 2012-12-23.</ref> [[Khmeimim Air Base]] is an airbase near Latakia converted to use by the [[Russian military]] in 2015.

Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]], accompanied by his Syrian counterpart [[Bashar al-Assad]] visited the [[Khmeimim airbase]], Russia's main military base in Syria, located just outside Latakia near [[Jableh]] on 11 December 2017.<ref>{{citation |work=The Guardian |date=11 December 2017 |title=Vladimir Putin makes triumphant visit to Syria airbase |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/11/vladimir-putin-visit-to-syria-airbase-bashir-al-assad |access-date=30 December 2017 |archive-date=31 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231050245/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/11/vladimir-putin-visit-to-syria-airbase-bashir-al-assad |url-status=live }}</ref> Declaring victory over ISIL, and announcing a partial military withdrawal from Syria, but with continuing Russian presence, as the Khmeimim airbase and the [[Russian naval facility in Tartus]] would still be operated by Russian forces.<ref>{{citation|title=On visit to Syria, Putin lauds victory over ISIS and announces withdrawals|date=11 December 2017|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/putin-makes-first-visit-to-syria-lauds-victory-over-isis-and-announces-withdrawals/2017/12/11/f75389de-de61-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012143527/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/putin-makes-first-visit-to-syria-lauds-victory-over-isis-and-announces-withdrawals/2017/12/11/f75389de-de61-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 December 2021, [[Israel]]i warplanes launched an airstrike attack on Latakia's port, damaging the port's facilities and setting several containers on fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/7/syria-says-israel-launched-missile-attack-on-latakia-port|title=Syria says Israel launched missile attack on vital port|work=Al Jazeera|access-date=2021-12-07|archive-date=2021-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207113841/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/7/syria-says-israel-launched-missile-attack-on-latakia-port|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 28, the port was attacked again after Israeli forces launched several [[Precision-guided munition|precision missiles]] targeting the port. The attack killed 2 [[Syrian Army]] soldiers, destroyed several containers and set the port on fire for several hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/28/airstrike-blamed-israel-sets-syrian-port-latakia-ablaze|title=Israeli airstrike sets port of Latakia ablaze, says Syrian media|work=The Guardian|date=28 December 2021|agency=Agence France-Presse|access-date=28 December 2021|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228160724/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/28/airstrike-blamed-israel-sets-syrian-port-latakia-ablaze|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-dead-after-tuesdays-alleged-israeli-strike-on-syrian-port-city-claims-monitor/|title=Two dead after Tuesday's alleged Israeli strike on Syrian port city, claims monitor|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=2021-12-29|archive-date=2021-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229151720/https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-dead-after-tuesdays-alleged-israeli-strike-on-syrian-port-city-claims-monitor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 December 2024, the day Assad was granted asylum in Moscow,<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2024 |title=Ousted Syrian president Assad 'granted asylum' in Moscow - as rebels 'guarantee safety' of Russian military bases |url=https://news.sky.com/story/syrias-president-bashar-al-assad-is-in-moscow-and-has-been-granted-asylum-confirms-russian-state-media-13269955 |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> the Russian news agency [[TASS]] reported that the armed opposition had taken full control of Latakia Governorate but had not threatened the Russian military bases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharufulin |first=Valery |date=9 December 2024 |title=Syrian opposition controls city of Tartus hosting Russian base — source |url=https://tass.com/world/1884333 |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=TASS}}</ref> During the night to 10 December the [[Israeli Navy]] attacked Latakia port and sank 6 [[Osa-class missile boat]]s of the [[Syrian Navy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2024 |title=Israeli Navy destroys Syrian Fleet in Latakia  |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/12/israeli-navy-destroys-syrian-fleet-in-latakia/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=navalnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Slinfah.png|thumb|[[Slinfah]]]]
Latakia is located {{convert|348|km|mi}} north-west of Damascus, {{convert|186|km|mi}} south-west from Aleppo, {{convert|186|km|mi}} north-west of Homs, and {{convert|90|km|mi}} north of Tartus.<ref name="Homsonline">{{Citation|url=http://www.homsonline.com/EN/Syria/Distance.htm|publisher=HomsOnline|title=Distance Between Main Syrian Cities|access-date=2009-02-26|date=2008-05-16|archive-date=2015-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815041426/http://homsonline.com/EN/Syria/Distance.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Nearby towns and villages include [[Kasab, Syria|Kasab]] to the north, [[Al-Haffah]], Slinfah and [[Qardaha]] to the east in the [[Syrian Coastal Mountain Range|Coastal Mountain Range]], and Jableh and [[Baniyas]] to the south.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Scott C. |title=The road from Damascus: a journey through Syria |date=2002 |publisher=Cune Press |isbn=1-885942-84-2 |edition=1st |location=Seattle |oclc=47657571}}</ref>

Latakia is the capital of the Latakia Governorate, in western Syria, bordering Turkey to the north. The governorate has a reported area of either {{convert|2297|km2|sqmi}}<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/Syria.html|title=Syria|publisher=citypopulation.de|year=2008|access-date=2009-08-10|archive-date=2015-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907214256/http://www.citypopulation.de/Syria.html|url-status=live}}</ref> or {{convert|2437|km2|sqmi}}.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.statoids.com/usy.html|title=Provinces of Syria|publisher=Statoids|year=2005|access-date=2009-08-10|archive-date=2015-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713212904/http://www.statoids.com/usy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Latakia is the administrative centre of the [[Latakia District]] that occupies the northern portion of the Latakia Governorate.

[[Nahr al-Kabir al-Shamali]] flows into the [[Mediterranean Sea]] south of Latakia.

===Climate===
Under [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen's climate classification]], Latakia has a [[hot-summer Mediterranean climate]] (''Csa'')<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007 |title=Updated world map of the K¨oppen-Geiger climate classification |url=https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |access-date=14 June 2024 |website=www.hess.copernicus.org}}</ref> with warm, humid summers and cool, wet winters. Latakia's wettest months are December and January, where average precipitation is around 160&nbsp;mm. The city's driest month, July, only has on average about {{convert|1|mm|2}} of rain, despite being rather humid. Average high temperatures in the city range from around {{convert|16|C}} in January to around {{convert|30|C}} in August. Latakia on average receives around {{convert|760|mm}} of rainfall annually.

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Latakia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1928–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 24.4
|Feb record high C = 26.3
|Mar record high C = 32.6
|Apr record high C = 35.6
|May record high C = 38.8
|Jun record high C = 38.4
|Jul record high C = 36.2
|Aug record high C = 38.4
|Sep record high C = 38.2
|Oct record high C = 39.0
|Nov record high C = 32.6
|Dec record high C = 28.0
|year record high C = 39.0
|Jan high C = 16.1
|Feb high C = 17.0
|Mar high C = 19.1
|Apr high C = 22.0
|May high C = 24.9
|Jun high C = 27.5
|Jul high C = 29.6
|Aug high C = 30.6
|Sep high C = 29.9
|Oct high C = 27.5
|Nov high C = 22.7
|Dec high C = 18.0
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 12.0
|Feb mean C = 13.0
|Mar mean C = 15.3
|Apr mean C = 18.0
|May mean C = 21.5
|Jun mean C = 24.8
|Jul mean C = 27.2
|Aug mean C = 28.1
|Sep mean C = 26.2
|Oct mean C = 23.0
|Nov mean C = 17.7
|Dec mean C = 13.5
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = 8.4
|Feb low C = 9.4
|Mar low C = 11.1
|Apr low C = 14.2
|May low C = 17.7
|Jun low C = 21.6
|Jul low C = 24.6
|Aug low C = 25.2
|Sep low C = 22.6
|Oct low C = 18.8
|Nov low C = 13.7
|Dec low C = 10.2
|year low C = 
|Jan record low C = -1.6
|Feb record low C = -0.5
|Mar record low C = -0.6
|Apr record low C = 3.9
|May record low C = 10.6
|Jun record low C = 11.7
|Jul record low C = 17.8
|Aug record low C = 17.2
|Sep record low C = 12.4
|Oct record low C = 8.9
|Nov record low C = 0.0
|Dec record low C = 0.0
|year record low C = -1.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 152.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 109.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 62.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 40.8
|May precipitation mm = 16.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 5.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 1.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 1.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 20.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 65.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 84.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 140.8
|year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 12.5
|Feb precipitation days = 10.3
|Mar precipitation days = 7.5
|Apr precipitation days = 5.7
|May precipitation days = 2.8
|Jun precipitation days = 0.6
|Jul precipitation days = 0.1
|Aug precipitation days = 0.4
|Sep precipitation days = 2.5
|Oct precipitation days = 5.9
|Nov precipitation days = 6.4
|Dec precipitation days = 10.7
|year precipitation days = 61.7
|Jan humidity = 63
|Feb humidity = 62
|Mar humidity = 65
|Apr humidity = 68
|May humidity = 72
|Jun humidity = 74
|Jul humidity = 74
|Aug humidity = 73
|Sep humidity = 68
|Oct humidity = 62
|Nov humidity = 57
|Dec humidity = 65
|year humidity = 67
|Jan sun = 136.4
|Feb sun = 148.4
|Mar sun = 198.4
|Apr sun = 225.0
|May sun = 297.6
|Jun sun = 321.0
|Jul sun = 325.5
|Aug sun = 316.2
|Sep sun = 288.0
|Oct sun = 248.0
|Nov sun = 192.0
|Dec sun = 151.9
|year sun = 2848.4
|Jand sun = 4.4
|Febd sun = 5.3
|Mard sun = 6.4
|Aprd sun = 7.5
|Mayd sun = 9.6
|Jund sun = 10.7
|Juld sun = 10.5
|Augd sun = 10.2
|Sepd sun = 9.6
|Octd sun = 8.0
|Novd sun = 6.4
|Decd sun = 4.9
|yeard sun = 7.8
|source 1 = NOAA (sun 1961–1991)<ref name = NOAA>{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/SY/40022.TXT
| title = Latakia Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171010134227/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/SY/40022.TXT
| archive-date = 2017-10-10
| url-status = dead
| access-date = April 26, 2017
}}</ref> Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web |url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/worldclimate/graphs.php?climate=9120&code=40022
|title= LATTAKIA Climate: 1991–2020
|publisher=Starlings Roost Weather
|access-date= 18 December 2024
}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (humidity, 1966–1978),<ref name = DWD>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_400220_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Lattakia / Syrien
| website = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = April 26, 2017
| archive-date = July 25, 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190725063036/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_400220_kt.pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)<ref name = meteoclimat>{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1128
| title = Station Lattakia
| publisher = Meteo Climat
| language = fr
| access-date = April 26, 2017
| archive-date = October 10, 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171010134043/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1128
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|date=December 2016}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = [[Bassel Al-Assad International Airport]] (1991–2020)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high C = 25.0
|Feb record high C = 26.8
|Mar record high C = 32.8
|Apr record high C = 36.8
|May record high C = 40.0
|Jun record high C = 40.0
|Jul record high C = 36.5
|Aug record high C = 38.5
|Sep record high C = 41.0
|Oct record high C = 39.0
|Nov record high C = 33.1
|Dec record high C = 28.4
|year record high C = 41.0
|Jan high C = 16.6
|Feb high C = 17.3
|Mar high C = 19.6
|Apr high C = 22.5
|May high C = 25.6
|Jun high C = 28.2
|Jul high C = 30.3
|Aug high C = 31.2
|Sep high C = 30.3
|Oct high C = 28.2
|Nov high C = 23.1
|Dec high C = 18.4
|year high C = 24.3
|Jan low C = 7.2
|Feb low C = 7.7
|Mar low C = 9.7
|Apr low C = 12.3
|May low C = 15.5
|Jun low C = 18.9
|Jul low C = 21.6
|Aug low C = 22.6
|Sep low C = 20.5
|Oct low C = 17.2
|Nov low C = 12.1
|Dec low C = 8.5
|year low C = 14.5
|Jan record low C = -3.0
|Feb record low C = -3.2
|Mar record low C = 0.0
|Apr record low C = 2.0
|May record low C = 9.8
|Jun record low C = 13.0
|Jul record low C = 16.8
|Aug record low C = 18.3
|Sep record low C = 13.3
|Oct record low C = 7.6
|Nov record low C = 2.0
|Dec record low C = -3.0
|year record low C = -3.2
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 175.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 131.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 86.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 52.6
|May precipitation mm = 28.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 8.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 0.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 3.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 15.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 56.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 95.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 172.8
|year precipitation mm = 836.2
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 12.0
|Feb precipitation days = 10.2
|Mar precipitation days = 8.1
|Apr precipitation days = 5.9
|May precipitation days = 3.3
|Jun precipitation days = 0.7
|Jul precipitation days = 0.1
|Aug precipitation days = 0.4
|Sep precipitation days = 1.6
|Oct precipitation days = 4.7
|Nov precipitation days = 6.3
|Dec precipitation days = 10.9
|year precipitation days = 64.1
|source 1 = [[NCEI]]<ref name = WMO>{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Syria/CSV/BaselAssadIntAirport_40025.csv
|title = Basel Assad Int Airport Climatological Information
|publisher = [[NOAA]]
|access-date = April 25, 2024
|archive-date = April 25, 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240425031716/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Syria/CSV/BaselAssadIntAirport_40025.csv
|url-status = live
}}</ref>}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Post_card_of_a_group_of_Alawite_musicians_from_North-Western_Syria,_(1920's).jpg|thumb|left|A group of resting Alawite musicians from Latakia ({{circa|1920s}})]]
{{Historical populations
|type=Syria
|1905|25,000<ref name="SoA"/>
|1932|24,000<ref name="Winckler">Winckler, 1998, p.72.</ref>
|1943|36,000<ref name="Winckler"/>
|1957|56,000<ref name="Winckler"/>
|1970|126,000<ref name="Winckler"/>
|1987|241,000<ref name="Winckler"/>
|1992|284,000<ref name="damascusonline">{{Citation|url=http://www.damascus-online.com/se/geo/latakia.htm |title=Latakia |publisher=Damascus-Online |access-date=2009-07-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231233957/http://damascus-online.com/se/geo/latakia.htm |archive-date=December 31, 2009 }}</ref>
|1994|303,000<ref name="Winckler"/>
|2004|383,786<ref name="auto"/>}}
One of the first censuses was in 1825, which recorded that there were 6,000–8,000 Muslims, 1,000 [[Greek Orthodox]] Christians, 30 [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Christians]], 30 [[Maronite Catholic]]s, and 30 [[Jew]]s.<ref>American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 1825, p.375.</ref> At the beginning of the 20th century, Latakia had a population of roughly 7,000 inhabitants; however, the [[Journal of the Society of Arts]] recorded a population of 25,000 in 1905.<ref name="SoA">Society of Arts (Great Britain), 1906, p.556.</ref> In a 1992 estimate, Latakia had a population of 284,000,<ref name="damascusonline"/> rising to 303,000 in the 1994 census.<ref name="Winckler"/> The city's population continued to rise, reaching an estimated 402,000 residents in 2002.<ref name="Minahan">Minahan, 2002, p.79.</ref>{{sfn|Winter|2016}}

In 2010, Latakia City was 50% Sunni, 40% Alawite and 10% Christian;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/latakia-is-assads-achilles-heel|title=Latakia Is Assad's Achilles Heel|website=washingtoninstitute.org|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-date=11 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911225639/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/latakia-is-assads-achilles-heel|url-status=live}}</ref> however, the rural hinterland has an Alawite majority of roughly 70%, with Sunni Muslims making up 14%, [[Arab Christian|Christian]]s making up 12%, and [[Ismaili]]s representing the remaining 2%.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Elhadj |first=Elie |title=The Islamic shield : Arab resistance to democratic and religious reforms |date=2006 |publisher=Brown Walker Press |isbn=1-59942-411-8 |location=Baton Rouge, FL |oclc=82175833}}</ref> The city serves as the capital of the Alawite population and is a major cultural center for the religion.<ref name="Minahan"/> Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, large numbers of Alawites from the area emigrated to the country's capital Damascus.<ref>Dumper, 2007, pp.126–127.</ref> Of the Christians, a sizable [[Antiochian Greeks|Antiochian Greek]] population exists in Latakia, and their [[diocese]] in the city has the largest congregation of the [[Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch]].<ref name="CtS"/><ref>Fahlbusch and Bromiley, 2008, p.279.</ref><ref name=gmfa>{{Citation|url=http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Policy/Geographic+Regions/Mediterranean+-+Middle+East/Bilateral+Relations/Syria/ |publisher=Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs |title=Relations with Syria: The Greek community |year=2008 |access-date=2009-02-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507203735/http://www2.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Policy/Geographic%2BRegions/Mediterranean%2B-%2BMiddle%2BEast/Bilateral%2BRelations/Syria/ |archive-date=May 7, 2008 }}</ref> There is also an [[Armenians in Syria|Armenia]]n community of 3,500 in the city.<ref name="gmfa"/><ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.periotem.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Subjects&file=index&req=viewpageext&pageid=741&pageno=2|publisher=Periotem|title=The Armenian Prelacy in Aleppo|access-date=2009-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715064301/http://www.periotem.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Subjects&file=index&req=viewpageext&pageid=741&pageno=2|archive-date=2011-07-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The entire population speaks Arabic, mostly in the [[North Levantine Arabic|North Levantine]] dialect.<ref>Minahan, 2002, p.80.</ref>

Within the city boundaries is the "unofficial" [[Latakia camp]], established in 1956, which has a population of 6,354 [[Palestinian refugee]]s, mostly from [[Jaffa]] and the [[Galilee]].<ref name=UNRWA>{{Citation|title=Latakia:Unofficial Refugee Camp|publisher=[[UNRWA]]|date=30 June 2002|access-date=12 July 2007|url=https://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/syria/latakia.html|archive-date=14 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714212941/http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/syria/latakia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Economy==
===Port===
{{main|Port of Latakia}}

[[File:Latakia_harbour.jpg|thumb|The Port of Latakia, Syria's main harbour]]
The Port of Latakia is the main seaport in Syria. It was established on 12 February 1950, and has boosted the city's importance ever since. The port's imported cargo includes clothing, construction materials, vehicles, furniture, minerals, tobacco, cotton, and food supplies such as lintels, onions, wheat, barley, dates, grains and figs, and in 2008, the port handled about 8 million tons of cargo.

The largest area of the port, with 43 hectares, is occupied by the container terminal. The storage capacity is 17,000 containers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/SYR_Port_of_Lattakia_2257.php |title=''Port of Lattakia.'' World Port Source |access-date=2019-10-11 |archive-date=2019-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916184851/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/SYR_Port_of_Lattakia_2257.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Latakia was connected to six ferry lines to [[Alexandria]] (Egypt), [[İzmir]] (Turkey) and [[Beirut]] (Lebanon). It is not known whether the lines still exist in the [[Syrian civil war]], which has been going on since 2011.

The [[marina]] Latakia has 150 berths for ships up to a maximum length of 25 meters and 4 meters draught.<ref>[http://www.portbooker.com/en/harbour/port-of-lattaquie/latakia/latakia/syria]{{dead link|date=May 2020}}</ref> The [[Syrian Navy]] has one of its four bases in Latakia.

===Agriculture===
Latakia has an extensive agricultural hinterland. Exports include bitumen ([[Bitumen|asphalt]]), cereals, [[cotton]], fruits, eggs, vegetable oil, pottery, and [[Latakia (tobacco)|tobacco]]. Cotton ginning, vegetable-oil processing, tanning, and [[sponge]] fishing serve as local industries for the city.<ref name="Britannica">[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/331236/Latakia Latakia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129175701/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/331236/Latakia |date=2014-11-29 }}. (2009). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2009-03-01, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online.</ref>

===Tourism===
[[File:وادي قنديل (wadi kandel ).jpg|thumb|Wadi Qandeel beach, near Latakia]]
:''The information in this section is based on potentially outdated sources, with the most recent source being published in 2004.''

The [[Cote d'Azur, Syria|Cote d'Azur]] Beach of Latakia is Syria's premier coastal resort, and offers water skiing, jet skiing, and windsurfing. The city contains eight hotels, two of which have five-star ratings; both the Cote d'Azur de Cham Hotel and Lé Meridien Lattiquie Hotel are located {{convert|6|km|mi}} north of the city, at Cote d'Azur. The latter hotel has 274 rooms and is the only international hotel in the city.<ref>Carter, 2004, p.146.</ref>

Compared to other Syrian cities, window shopping and evening strolls in the markets is considered a favorite pastime in Latakia. Numerous designer-label stores line 8 Azar Street, and the heart of the city's shopping area is the series of blocks enclosed by 8 Azar Street, Yarmouk Street, and Saad Zaghloul Street in the city center. [[Movie theater|Cinema]]s in Latakia include Ugarit Cinema, al-Kindi, and a smaller theater off al-Moutanabbi Street.<ref name="Mannheim"/>

==Culture==

===Festivals===
[[File:Al Mahaba Festival.jpg|thumb|Latakia Sports City during al-Mahaba Festival]]
The Al-Mahabba Festival, which includes various entertainment programs such as competitions, art parties and archeological and tourist tours to the most important places in the city and is organized by the economic and commercial authorities in cooperation with the Al-Bustan charity organization, is held annually in the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2104090&language=en|title=Latakia festival kicks off with dazzling performances|publisher=Kuwait News Agency|date=2 August 2010|access-date=3 August 2022|archive-date=3 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903191919/https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2104090&language=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Museums===
[[File:Latakia Museo - GAR - 2-02.jpg|thumb|left|A Roman period funerary tomb, located in the city's museum]]
The [[National Museum of Latakia]] was built in 1986 near the seafront of the city. It formerly housed the residence of the Governor of the Alawite State and was originally a 16th-century Ottoman ''[[Caravanserai|khan]]'' ("caravansary") known as Khan al-Dukhan, meaning "The ''Khan'' of Smoke", as it served the tobacco trade. The ''khan'' historically served not only as an inn, but also contained private residences.<ref name="CtS"/> The exhibits include inscribed tablets from [[Ugarit]], ancient jewellery, coins, figurines, ceramics, pottery, and early Arab and Crusader-era [[chain-mail]] suits and swords.<ref>Carter, 2008, p.146.</ref><ref>[http://www.syriagate.com/Syria/about/cities/Latakia/sites.htm Historical Sites of Latakia] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20060329184225/http://www.syriagate.com/Syria/about/cities/Latakia/sites.htm |date=2006-03-29 }} Syria Gate.</ref>

However, since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, the museum had been temporarily closed, to protect the museum's exhibits from the trafficking and looting, which became common during recent years, that the Museums of Palmyra, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa suffered from. However, the museum's gardens are still open to the public, and contain many column capitals, ornaments, funerary tombs and statues which still can be viewed by the public.

===Sport===
[[File:Latakia Sports City Stadium.jpg|thumb|Latakia Sports City stadium]]
Latakia is the home city of three football clubs: [[Tishreen SC|Tishreen Sports Club]] was founded in 1947,<ref>[http://www.weltfussballarchiv.com/Vereinsprofilnew.php?ID=22061 Teshrin SC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007193208/http://www.weltfussballarchiv.com/Vereinsprofilnew.php?ID=22061 |date=2013-10-07 }} Welt Fussball Archive.</ref> [[Hutteen (Latakia)|Hutteen Sports Club]] was founded in 1945,<ref>[http://www.weltfussballarchiv.com/Vereinsprofilnew.php?ID=22062 Al-Hutteen SC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007192800/http://www.weltfussballarchiv.com/Vereinsprofilnew.php?ID=22062 |date=2013-10-07 }} Welt Fussball Archive.</ref> and [[Tadamon SC (Syria)|Tadamon SC]] was founded in 1980. All teams are based in the [[al-Assad Stadium]], which carries a capacity of 28,000 people. Just north of the city is the Latakia Sports City complex, which was built in 1987 to host the 1987 Mediterranean Games.<ref name="ADL">[http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=732 Latakia Sports City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619230213/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=732 |date=2010-06-19 }} Archnet Digital Library.</ref>

===Latakia tobacco===
{{Main|Latakia (tobacco)}}

Latakia tobacco is a specially prepared [[tobacco]] originally produced in Syria and named after the port city of Latakia.<ref name="glpease">{{Citation|url=http://www.glpease.com/Articles/Latakia.html|title=A Tale of Two Latakias|year=2008|publisher=G. L. Pease Tobaccos|access-date=2009-07-29|archive-date=2009-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209184527/http://glpease.com/Articles/Latakia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Now the tobacco is mainly produced in Cyprus. It is cured over a [[stone pine]] or oak wood fire, which gives it an intense smokey-peppery taste and smell. Rarely smoked straight, it is used as a "condiment" or "blender" (a basic tobacco mixed with other tobaccos to create a blend), especially in British, Balkan, and some American Classic blends.<ref name="glpease"/>

==Education==
[[File:Al-Keleyye High School - Latakia, Syria.jpg|thumb|The National Private High School, built in the [[Bauhaus]] style]]
[[Latakia University]] of was founded in May 1971, and later renamed Tishreen University ("October University") in 1976 to commemorate the October War of 1973. The university first had only 3 faculties, Literature, Science and Agriculture and only an enrollment of 983 students during its founding,<ref name="Tishuni">{{cite web|url=http://www.tishreen.edu.sy/about|title=عن الجامعة|last=admm|date=19 June 2010|website=tishreen.edu.sy|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213045706/http://tishreen.edu.sy/about|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> but that number largely grew throughout the years to reach more than 70,000 students,<ref name="Tishuni"/> making the Latakia University the 3rd largest in Syria, with the number of its faculties rising to 17, including Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Science, Nursing, Education, Agriculture, Law, History, Electrical and Technical Engineering and Arts, among others. The city also houses a branch of the [[Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport]].<ref name="Britannica"/>

One of the oldest schools in Latakia, a previous military barracks built during the [[Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon]] is named after Jules Jammal, an Arab Christian military officer who blew himself up in a suicide attack on a French ship.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3RQFAQAAIAAJ&q=Jules+Jammal AHMED FAWAZ La rencontre entre le Président et son second remonte à la fin des années quarante, sur les bancs du lycée Jules Jammal, dans la ville côtière de Lattaquié. Tous deux étaient membres du parti Baas. Cette rencontre n'était] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923074033/https://books.google.com/books?id=3RQFAQAAIAAJ&q=Jules+Jammal |date=2023-09-23 }} Le Nouvel Afrique Asie page 23</ref>

On 26 November 2016, Manara University, a private university, was founded under the patronage of [[Imad Khamis]], the [[Prime Minister of Syria]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sana.sy/en/?p=102956|title=Al-Manara University opened in Lattakia – Syrian Arab News Agency|newspaper=Syrian Arab News Agency|date=27 November 2016|access-date=25 December 2017|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226034053/https://sana.sy/en/?p=102956|url-status=live}}</ref> Its faculties as of 2017 include Pharmacy and Health, Engineering and Business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manara.edu.sy/en/about/|title=University in Brief – جامعة المنارة – Manara University|website=manara.edu.sy|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421080130/http://manara.edu.sy/en/about/|archive-date=21 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Main sights==
The modern city still exhibits faint traces of its former importance, notwithstanding the frequent earthquakes with which it has been visited. The marina is built upon foundations of ancient columns, and there are in the town an old gateway and other antiquities, as also sarcophagi and sepulchral caves in the neighbourhood. This gateway is a remarkable triumphal arch at the southeast corner of the town, almost entire: it is built with four entrances, like the [[Forum Jani]] at [[Rome]]. It is conjectured that this arch was built in honour of [[Lucius Verus]], or of Septimius Severus.<ref>''Description of the East'', vol. ii. p. 197.</ref> Fragments of Greek and Latin inscriptions are dispersed all over the ruins, but entirely defaced.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ring |first=Trudy |title=Middle East and Africa : International Dictionary of Historic Places. |date=2014 |publisher=Taylor and Francis |others=Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger |isbn=978-1-134-25986-1 |location=Hoboken |pages=451 |oclc=871861130}}</ref>
[[File:Modern neighborhood - Latakia, Syria.jpg|thumb|A modern neighborhood]]
Notable points of interest in the nearby area include the massive [[Saladin's Castle]] and the ruins of Ugarit, where some of the earliest [[alphabet]]ic writings have been found. There are also several popular beaches. There are numerous mosques in Latakia, including the 13th-century Great Mosque and the 18th-century Jadid Mosque constructed by Suleiman Pasha Azem.<ref name="CtS">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090105220542/http://www.cometosyria.com/en/syriamap/medi/latakia.htm Latakia] Come to Syria.</ref>

Latakia has consulates general of [[Finland]] and [[France]], and honorary consulates of [[Greece]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Time Factory Publishing |title=Greece intelligence, security activities & |date=2009 |publisher=Intl Business Pubns Usa |isbn=978-1-4387-2045-6 |location= |pages=253 |oclc=946222980}}</ref> and [[Romania]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consulate of Romania in Latakia, Syria |url=https://www.embassypages.com/romania-consulate-latakia-syria#google_vignette |access-date=14 June 2024 |website=www.embassypages.com}}</ref>

==Local infrastructure==

===Healthcare===
The Syrian government operates three major public hospitals in Latakia, Al-Assad Hospital, the National Hospital and the [[Latakia University]] Hospital, with other private hospitals working for private gain. One of the famous hospitals is Bahrou Hospital.

===Transportation===
[[File:CFS Brücke Aleppo-Latakia.jpg|thumb|left|The railway linking between Latakia and Aleppo]]
[[File:AlZiraaRoundaboutLatakia.jpg|thumb|The Al-Ziraa roundabout is one of the city's most important roundabouts and links various streets of the city.]]
Roads link Latakia to Aleppo, [[Beirut]], Homs, and [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]].<ref name="Britannica"/> The main commercial coastal road of the city is Jamal Abdel Nasser Street, named after former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. Lined with hotels, restaurants and the city museum, the street begins in central Latakia along the Mediterranean coast and ends at Hitteen Square. From the square, it branches southwest into al-Maghreb al-Arabi Street,<ref name="Mannheim2"/> south into 8 Azar Street, which continues south to form Baghdad Avenue—the main north–south road<ref>Carter, 2004, p.144.</ref>—branching into Beirut Street and Nadim Hassan Street along the southern coastline. From the southern portion of Jamal Abdel Nasser Street branch off al-Yarmouk Street and al-Quds Street, the latter which ends at al-Yaman Square in western Latakia, it continues west into Abdel Qader al-Husseini Street. North from al-Yaman Square Souria Avenue and south of the square is al-Ourouba Street. Souria Avenue ends in al-Jumhouriah Square, then continues north as al-Jumhouriah Street.<ref name="Mannheim2">Mannehim, 2001, p.284.</ref>
[[File:Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24 passes a Syrianair Airbus A320 at Latakia.jpg|thumb|[[Latakia International Airport]], located in Jableh, near Latakia, is the main airport serving the city]]
Much of the city is accessible by taxi and other forms of public transportation. Buses transport people to various Syrian, Lebanese, and Turkish cities, including [[Aleppo]], [[Damascus]], [[Deir ez-Zor]], [[Palmyra]], Tripoli, [[Beirut]], [[Safita]], [[Homs]], [[Hama]], [[Antakya]], and [[Tartous]]. The "luxury" Garagat Pullman Bus Station is located on Abdel Qader al-Husseini Street, and at least a dozen private companies are based at the station. On the same street is the older Hob-Hob Bus Station that operates a "depart when full" basis to Damascus and Aleppo. Local microbuses run between al-Yaman Square and the city center, as well as between the station on al-Jalaa Street and the city center. There is also a microbus station with buses departing to [[Qalaat Salah ed-Din]], Qardaha, Kassab, and Jableh.<ref name="Mannheim">Mannheim, 2001, pp.290–291.</ref>

Latakia's railway station is located on al-Yaman Square. [[Chemins de Fer Syriens]] operated services, including two daily runs to Aleppo and one weekly run to Damascus via Tartous. In 2005, approximately 512,167 passengers departed from Latakia's railway station.<ref name="Pass">{{Citation|url=http://www.latakia-city.gov.sy/index.php?p_id=168|title=Transport|year=2008|publisher=Latakia-city.gov.sy|access-date=2009-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006170609/http://www.latakia-city.gov.sy/index.php?p_id=168|archive-date=2011-10-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Latakia International Airport]] is located {{convert|25|km|mi|sp=us}} south of Latakia and serves as a national and regional airport with regular flights to [[Sharjah (city)|Sharjah]], [[Jeddah]], [[Riyadh]] and [[Cairo]]. The Port of Latakia is also a link in six organized cruises between [[Alexandria]], [[İzmir]] and Beirut. In addition, there are irregular ferry services to Cyprus. In 2005, approximately 27,939 passengers used the port.<ref name="Pass"/>

== Notable people ==
* [[Themison of Laodicea]], founder of the Methodic school of medicine
* [[Philonides of Laodicea]], [[Epicurean]] philosopher and [[mathematician]]
* [[Theodas of Laodicea]], [[Pyrrhonism|Pyrrhonist]] philosopher and [[physician]] of the [[Empiric school]] 
* [[Apollinaris of Laodicea]], bishop of laodicea
* [[Yusuf Yasin]], journalist and politician who performed several roles in the Saudi government.
*[[A. R. Frank Wazzan|A.R. Frank Wazzan]], Dean, UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 1986–2001.
*[[Bassem Yakhour]], actor 
*[[Hanna Mina]], novelist
*[[Maram al-Masri]], poet
*[[Ziad Abdullah]], film critic and author
*[[Yasmina Azhari]], businesswoman
* [[Raoul Gregory Vitale]]، Syrian musicologist
* [[Ali Abdullah Ayyoub]], Syrian Deputy Prime Minister
* [[Mustafa Hamsho]], professional boxer
* [[Nadim Nassar]], priest and founder of [[Awareness Foundation]]
* [[Kevork Mardikian]], former Syrian football midfielder of Armenian descent. He captained the Syrian national team between 1979 and 1985.
* [[Mardik Mardikian]],  Syrian professional footballer of Armenian descent

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Syria}}

Latakia is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Afyonkarahisar]], Turkey<ref>{{cite web|title=Kardeş Şehir Hamm|url=https://www.afyon.bel.tr/icerikdetay/269/319/kardes-sehir-hamm.aspx|website=afyon.bel.tr|publisher=Afyonkarahisar|language=tr|access-date=2020-09-16|archive-date=2021-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414230036/https://www.afyon.bel.tr/icerikdetay/269/319/kardes-sehir-hamm.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Sousse]], Tunisia<ref>[https://www.izmir.bel.tr/tr/KardesKentler/62] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525013908/https://www.izmir.bel.tr/tr/KardesKentler/62 |date=25 مايو 2019}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|UKR}}[[Yalta]], Ukraine (disputed)<ref>{{cite web|title=Ялта и Грозный стали городами-побратимами|url=https://www.crimea.kp.ru/online/news/3570885/|website=crimea.kp.ru|language=ru|date=2019-08-13|access-date=2020-09-16|archive-date=2020-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030170441/https://www.crimea.kp.ru/online/news/3570885/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==See also==
*[[List of cities in Syria]]
*[[Timeline of Latakia]]
*[[Lake 16 Teshreen]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Latakia#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Latakia}}
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{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Latakia}}
{{wikivoyage|Latakia}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180803120545/http://www.esyria.sy/elatakia/ elatakia] The First Complete website for Latakia news and services
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080419064158/http://www.elatakia.sy/ Latakia news and services] {{in lang|ar}}
*[https://www.tishreen.edu.sy/ Latakia University] {{in lang|en|ar}}
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090124044737/http://www.ulivewhere.com/low/downloads/download-latakia.html Audio interview with Latakia resident about life in Latakia]}} 
*[http://www.pbase.com/dosseman_syria/latakia Pictures from 2009]
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Latakia|short=x}}

{{Cities of Syria}}
{{Latakia Governorate|latakia}}
{{Phoenician cities and colonies|state=collapsed}}
{{Hellenistic colonies}}
{{Mediterranean Games}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Latakia| ]]
[[Category:Levant]]
[[Category:Cities in Syria]]
[[Category:Seleucid colonies]]
[[Category:Phoenician cities]]
[[Category:Roman sites in Syria]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Asia]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Syria]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 2nd millennium BC]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Syria]]