Cotton is still the main crop around Raqqa, a trade that drove the city's growth from the 1950s. MIDTRANS handles freight to Syria by sea, road and air with customs clearance, and reviews Raqqa requests case by case.
Raqqa lies on the north bank of the Euphrates about 160 km east of Aleppo and 40 km downstream of the Euphrates Dam. The 2004 census recorded 220,488 residents, and the city served as the capital of Harun al-Rashid from 796 to 809.
Since the mid-1970s the local economy has rested on the Euphrates Dam, agriculture and nearby oil fields. Before 2011 the city and its countryside were one of Syria's main breadbaskets, producing large amounts and varieties of crops.
Raqqa on the Euphrates, east of Aleppo. Tap to enlarge the map×
Raqqa on the Euphrates, east of Aleppo.
Economy
Cotton, grain and processing
The 1950s cotton boom drove the city's growth and the recultivation of the middle Euphrates.
Cotton remains the region's main agricultural product.
The Euphrates (Tabqa) Dam, built 1968–1973, is Syria's largest dam and created Euphrates Lake, the country's largest reservoir.
Local facilities include an olive-oil processing plant, a drying plant, a cotton factory, a fodder factory, a mill and grain and dried-fruit warehouses.
The city was served by Syrian Railways before 2011.
Known for
Raqqa is known for
Cotton
Grain
Abbasid heritage (capital of Harun al-Rashid, 796–809)
Freight access
Routes into Raqqa
Unlike most northern cities, Raqqa is slightly closer to Tartus port, about 367 km by road, than to Latakia port, about 379 km. Overland cargo from the Gulf and Jordan entering at Nassib travels about 546 km, and the nearest crossing with Turkey by road is Tell Abyad, about 90 km away; crossing status and permitted cargo are checked for each shipment. Distances are approximate road distances from OpenStreetMap.
Nassib crossing (Jordan): about 546 km
Nearest crossing with Türkiye (Tell Abyad): about 90 km
Port of Latakia: about 379 km
Port of Tartous: about 367 km
Distances are approximate road distances calculated from OpenStreetMap road data. They are a planning guide; the route for each shipment is confirmed before booking.
Shipping to Raqqa?
Send the cargo details, origin and delivery address, and the route and documents are reviewed before booking.
Tartus port, at about 367 km by road, is slightly closer than Latakia port at about 379 km.
What is Raqqa's main agricultural product?
Cotton, which drove the city's growth from the 1950s. Before 2011 Raqqa and its countryside were also one of Syria's main breadbaskets.
How far is Raqqa from Aleppo?
Raqqa is about 160 km east of Aleppo, on the north bank of the Euphrates.
What is the nearest border crossing with Turkey to Raqqa?
The nearest crossing with Turkey by road is Tell Abyad, about 90 km away; crossing status and permitted cargo are checked for each shipment.
How far is Raqqa from Nassib?
About 546 km by road, for cargo arriving overland from the Gulf or Jordan.
Can MIDTRANS handle customs clearance for goods going to Raqqa?
MIDTRANS handles customs clearance in Syria and freight by sea, road and air. Requests for Raqqa are reviewed case by case for route, documents and delivery.
