Hama is a city located on the banks of the Orontes River in west-central Syria. It is situated approximately 213 kilometres north of Damascus and 46 kilometres north of Homs. The city serves as the provincial capital of the Hama Governorate, which is unique for being the only governorate in the country that does not share a land border with any foreign nations.
With an estimated population between 600,000 and 800,000 people by 2026, Hama ranks as one of the four largest cities in Syria, alongside Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs. The city is well known for its long-standing cheesemaking tradition, which is notably represented in the local signature dessert known as Halawet el Jibn.