# Tartus

> city in Syria

**Wikidata**: [Q174916](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q174916)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tartus

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Tartus is classified as a city, a big city, and a populated place in Syria.
*   **Location:** It is located in the Tartous Subdistrict and serves as the capital of the Tartus Governorate.
*   **Coordinates:** 34.883333333333, 35.883333333333.
*   **Elevation:** 0 meters above sea level.
*   **Historical Status:** It was part of the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon from 1923 until April 17, 1946.
*   **Heritage Status:** Designated a Tentative World Heritage Site on June 8, 1999, under the name "Tartus : la cité-citadelle des Croisés" (Tartus: The Citadel City of the Crusaders), meeting criteria (ii) and (iv).
*   **Names:** Native name is "طرطوس" (Tartus); also historically known as "Tortose" and "Αντιαράδος" (Antiarados).
*   **Language:** The official language is Arabic.
*   **Twin City:** Twinned with Tortosa.
*   **UN/LOCODE:** SYTTS.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location of Tartus?**
Tartus is a coastal city situated at sea level (0 meters elevation) in Syria. It is the capital of the Tartus Governorate and is located in the Tartous Subdistrict. The city is positioned at latitude 34.8833 and longitude 35.8833.

**What is the historical significance of Tartus?**
The city is historically significant as a Crusader stronghold, reflected in its tentative World Heritage Site designation as "The Citadel City of the Crusaders." It was named after the island of Arwad (historically Antarados), which lies opposite it. The city was also under the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon from 1923 to 1946.

**What are the administrative and official details of Tartus?**
Tartus is a major urban center (big city) with Arabic as its official language. It utilizes the local dialing code 43 and the UN/LOCODE SYTTS. The city maintains an official website and a Facebook presence, and it is twinned with the city of Tortosa.

**What are the digital and archival identifiers for Tartus?**
Tartus is cataloged in numerous international databases and libraries. Key identifiers include the GeoNames ID (163345), Library of Congress Authority ID (no00031994), VIAF ID (138644724), GND ID (4395244-6), and its Freebase ID (/m/03l44f). It also has a Wikidata description as a "city in Syria."

**What recognitions has Tartus received?**
Tartus was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on June 8, 1999, identified as ID 1301. This designation recognizes its historical value under criteria (ii) and (iv), specifically highlighting its importance as a fortified city from the Crusader era.

## Why It Matters
Tartus holds substantial historical and cultural importance, primarily due to its strategic coastal location and its well-preserved heritage as a "cité-citadelle des Croisés" (citadel city of the Crusaders). Its placement on the Tentative World Heritage list underscores its global value, highlighting architectural and historical influences that meet international criteria for cultural significance. As the capital of the Tartus Governorate, it serves as a critical administrative hub in Syria. Furthermore, its direct relationship with the island of Arwad (historically referenced as Antarados) roots it deeply in ancient maritime and trade history, making it a key point of study for understanding regional historical development from antiquity through the Crusader period and into the modern era.

## Notable For
*   **Tentative World Heritage Site:** Recognized by UNESCO for its Crusader history under the name "Tartus : la cité-citadelle des Croisés."
*   **Unique Elevation:** A coastal city situated exactly at sea level (0 meters).
*   **Historical Nomenclature:** Named after the island of Arwad, with historical references linking it to "Antarados."
*   **Extensive Multilingual Documentation:** Covered in over 60 Wikipedia language editions and numerous international encyclopedias, including the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Encyclopedia of Islam.
*   **Administrative Capital:** Functions as the capital of the Tartus Governorate.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Tartus is a principal urban center in Syria, classified as a city, a big city, and a populated place. It functions as the administrative capital of the Tartus Governorate and is situated within the Tartous Subdistrict. The city's geographical coordinates are 34.883333333333 latitude and 35.883333333333 longitude. It is a coastal city with an elevation of 0 meters above sea level.

### Historical and Cultural Heritage
The city's identity is deeply intertwined with its history as a fortified city during the Crusades. This historical significance is formally recognized by its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on June 8, 1999 (ID 1301). The nomination, titled "Tartus : la cité-citadelle des Croisés," cites criteria (ii) and (iv) regarding its cultural value. Tartus is historically named after the island of Arwad, located opposite it, and was known in ancient times by names such as Tortose and the Greek-derived Antarados. During the early 20th century, the city was part of the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon, a period that lasted from 1923 until April 17, 1946.

### Demographics and Language
Arabic is the official language of Tartus. The city is a major human settlement, reflected in its classification as a "big city" and its extensive coverage across global knowledge bases, including 70 sitelinks and presence in over 60 Wikipedia languages (e.g., English, Arabic, French, Russian, Chinese). The native label for the city is "طرطوس" (Tartus).

### Global Connections and References
Tartus maintains a twin-city relationship with Tortosa. It is extensively cataloged in international academic and digital repositories:
*   **Academic Encyclopedias:** Referenced in the Encyclopædia Britannica ("place/Tartus"), Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana ("TORTOSA"), Pauly–Wissowa, and the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam.
*   **Library Catalogs:** Holds identifiers such as the Library of Congress Authority ID (no00031994), National Library of Israel ID (987007471500505171), and VIAF ID (138644724).
*   **Geographical Databases:** Recorded in GeoNames (ID: 163345), Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire (ID: 21722), and OpenStreetMap (Node ID: 192296363).
*   **UN Codes:** Assigned the UN/LOCODE SYTTS.

### Media and Official Resources
The city's visual representation includes a seal image ("Emblem of Tartus.svg") and a page banner ("Tartous banner.png"). Official online presence is maintained through a government website (http://www.tartous-city.gov.sy/) and an official Facebook page (ID: 100067401849246). The main category for content related to Tartus is "Category:Tartus," with specific sub-categories for maps ("Category:Maps of Tartus") and people ("Category:People from Tartus" and "Category:Births in Tartus").

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
3. GeoNames
4. BBC Things
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/sy.htm)
6. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/tartus)
7. museum-digital