Latakia << `lat` uh KEE uh >> is one of the largest cities and leading trading centers of Syria. About 700,000 people live in the city. It lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Latakia is one of Syria’s busiest ports. In the 1960’s, Syria improved the port facilities to better serve large ships. Latakia also has a major air force and navy base. Since the mid-1970’s, a railroad has linked Latakia and the agricultural lands of northeastern Syria. The city is the home of Tishreen University, one of Syria’s major universities. Latakia was founded in ancient times and was first known as Laodicea.
