The capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, and often used as a synecdoche for the entire country (see, e.g., 1 Ki 13:32; 18:1; Isa 7:1) just as Jerusalem is often used when Judah is intended. It was located in the hills of Ephraim about 55km north of Jerusalem.
Remains of the Roman forum in Samaria
According to 1 Ki 16:24, the hill was named Samaria after its original owner, Shemer. Omri bought the land, fortified it and move the capital of the northern kingdom from Tirzah to the new city. It remained a major city in the region until well into the Roman era, when Herod the Great refurbished it and renamed it Sebaste (Latin for 'Ceasar') in honour of his patron Augustus Ceasar.
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