City in Syria with about 340,000 inhabitants (2000 estimate), situated on the Mediterranean Sea. The city is the capial of the Latakia Governorate.
Latakia is situated on the Ras Ziyarah promontory and has an excellent harbour, and is the most important port of Syria.
Latakia has its name from Laodicea, the mother of the Greek ruler Seleuces 2 (3rd century BC).
Latakia is the trading centre or the northwestern agricultural region. In this region, tobacco, cotton and fruit are grown, and much of it is exported through Latakia. Local industries are cotton grinning, vegetable oil processing, tanning, fishing and sponge fishing. Exports from other parts of Syria include bitumen and asphalt, cereals and foodstuffs.
Latakia is an important holiday resort for Syrians. The city has a university, the University of Latakia.
The city has suffered from numerous earthquakes through its history, and this is one of the main reasons why there now are very few monuments left in town: Only one section of Corinthian columns and a Roman victory arch.

HISTORY
2nd millenium BCE: Latakia, known as Ramitha, is part of the Ugarit kingdom, whose capital is 10 km north.
3rd century BCE: Grows into becoming an important port and city of Syria under Seleucid rule. This is also the time when the city gets its name.
638: Latakia is conquered by the Arabs.
1103: Captured by the crusaders.
1188: Captured by Saladin.
1287: A heavy earthquake destroys the city, and Emir of Sahyoun takes control over it.
1920: Comes under French rule as part of the French mandate of Syria and Lebanon.
1942: Latakia is incorporated into Syria.
1971: Tishreen University is established. It is renamed to University of Latakia in 1977.
 

Latakia  is the largest port of SYRIA and the capital of Latakia governorate. Situated on the Mediterranean in the northwest part of the country, Latakia has an artificial breakwater that protects it from the sea. It is a market center for cotton, tobacco, grain, fruits, olives, and vegetables, and produces ceramics, asphalt, and cotton and tobacco products. Sponge fishing is important. Because of earthquakes, the city lacks old landmarks.
Of ancient origin, the city was called Ramitha by the Phoenicians. In the late 4th century BC it was named Laodicea by the Macedonian conqueror Seleucus I; this name was altered in time to the present name. Latakia was later held by the Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Egyptian Ayyubids, and Ottoman Turks in succession. After World War I it was capital of the French territory of the Alawites until it was incorporated into the French mandate of Syria in 1926. Latakia became part of the independent republic of Syria in 1942