Homs (; /
ALA-LC:
Ḥimṣ), previously known as
Emesa (
Greek: Ἔμεσα
Emesa), is a city in western
Syria and the capital of the
Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of
Damascus. Located on the
Orontes River, Homs is also the central link between the interior cities and the Mediterranean coast.