There is no special requirement for the outside of a synagogue.
Historical synagogues are those that have a special place in history. So, the first synagogue in any particular country would be classified as historical, as would the oldest surviving synagogue in that country. Good examples would be the Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island, the Rashi Synagogue in Worms and the Old New Synagogue in Prague. Any synagogue where someone historically important would also qualify. So, for example, the Ramban Synagogue in Jerusalem, founded by the great medieval rabbi Nachmanides, would qualify. Ancient synagogues that are now merely archaeological sites are another category that would qualify.
Nothing in particular. Usually landscaping, like any other building.
Maybe, if it's a non-denominational synagogue.
In a synagogue
The entire synagogue is a worship area, but Jewish people generally sit in the chairs.
it was first taught of by Ezra the prophet upon his return from the Babylonian exile. but decided against it, Jews that found it to hard to visit the Temple 3 times a years might go to the Synagogue instead and ignore the Temple. The Synagogue was used in the Babylon as a house of Study thus also prayer, but once the Jews returned to Israel, it was only used outside of Israel so there would be some connection. Most of the laws regarding to a synagogue today are from Ezra
The ark is known as the Aron Kodesh (ארון קודש) and it contains the synagogue's Torah scrolls.
The synagogue that Jesus regularly taught in was made of black basalt stone and archaeologists date it back to at least 1AD today the only main wall left in the synagogue is the wailing wall. the women and children where not allowed past certain parts of the synagogue and had to worship in a place called the women's court. the outside of the synagogue was just a plane grey stone. the grandest part of the synagogue is the sacrifice chamber only Jewish men and priests were allowed in the synagogue.
It is the center of Jewish life outside of Israel. Jews go to a synagogue to study, pray, and socialize with other Jews.
We don't know where the ark is and it has never been in a synagogue. It had been in the temple in a room called the Holy of Holies.
Usually a synagogue will have a billboard or signage indicating it is a synagogue.
You would find it either at the front or centre of the sanctuary.