Latakia tobacco
Latakia tobacco is a specially prepared tobacco originally produced in Syria and named after the port city of Latakia.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. Too strong for the tastes of most people to smoke straight, it is used as a "condiment" or "blender" (a basic tobacco mixed with other tobaccos to create a blend), especially in English, Balkan, and some American Classic blends.
Festivals
Latakia is home to a major annual festival, Al-Mahaba Festival. The festival is held between August 2–12 and includes cultural events, sports competitions and musical concerts. The festival is held in the Latakia Sports City complex and is a landmark of the city.The Festival of Flowers is held at the same time and includes flower arrangements and exhibitions.The Latakia in Memory Festival is aimed at reviving the ancient history of Latakia. Held annually on September 16 for three days, the festival includes carnivals, panoramic exhibitions on Ugarit and ancient Laodicea, an ancient Phoenician boats contest and exhibition and wind surfing contests.
Museums
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 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.The exhibits include inscribed tablets from Ugarit, ancient jewellery, coins, figurines, ceramics, pottery, and early Arab and Crusader-era chain-mail suits and swords.
Sports
Latakia is the home city of two football clubs: Teshrin Sports Club was founded in 1947,and
