What countries border Syria?
What is the current weather in Syria?
What is Syria famous for?
What is the capital of Syria?
Capital | Damascus |
Government Type | presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime |
Currency | Syrian Pound (SYP) |
Total Area |
71,498 Square Miles 185,180 Square Kilometers |
Location | Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey |
Language | Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood |
GDP - real growth rate | -9.9% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $5,100.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Syria?
Ethnic Groups | Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7% |
Nationality Noun | Syrian(s) |
Population | 19,398,448 |
Population - note | note: approximately 20,500 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights |
Population Growth Rate | 0.15% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | Aleppo 3.164 million; DAMASCUS (capital) 2.65 million; Hims 1.369 million; Hamah 933,000 |
Urban Population | 56.100000 |
What type of government does Syria have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hussein ARNOUS (since 30 August 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Ali Abdullah AYOUB (Lt. Gen.) (since 30 August 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 May 2021 (next to be held in 2028); the president appoints the vice president, prime minister, and deputy prime minister election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD (Ba'th Party) 95.2%, Mahmoud Ahmad MAREI (Democratic Arab Socialist Union) 3.3%, other1.5% |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Syria; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen of Syria dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years |
National Holiday | Independence Day (Evacuation Day), 17 April (1946); note - celebrates the leaving of the last French troops and the proclamation of full independence |
Constitution |
history: several previous; latest issued 15 February 2012, passed by referendum and effective 27 February 2012; note - UN-sponsored talks, which began in late 2019 between delegates from government and opposition forces to draft a new constitution; in March 2022, the 7th round of the Syrian Constitutional Committee ended in Geneva with no results amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by one third of the People’s Assembly members; following review by a special Assembly committee, passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by the Assembly and approval by the president |
Independence | 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) |
What environmental issues does Syria have?
Overview |
The Syrian Arab Republic is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea and at the northern end of the Afro-Asian Rift Valley. Syria's area, approximately 185,000 square kilometers (71,500 square miles), comprises several distinct climatic conditions. The western coastal plain is a narrow, fertile stretch of land that is the most humid area of the country, with milder winters and summers than the rest of the country. Due east in the Orontes River Valley, the northern extension of the Afro-Asian rift, is a rich agricultural area that continues into the Bekaa Valley to the south. East of the Orontes Valley begins the desert region. The largest cities of Syria, Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo, are located on the eastern side of the mountain spine created by the rift. Further to the east is the Syrian Desert with its ancient oasis-city, Palmyra. In the northeast, the Anatolian Mountains serve as a natural barrier between Syria and Turkey and between Syria and Iraq. Here is found the Jazira Valley, watered by the Euphrates River, which is the grain belt of Syria. The oil fields of Syria are also in this area. Damascus, the capital and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, rests at about 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level on the Barada River in the southwestern section of the country. |
Climate |
The Syrian Arab Republic comprises several distinct climatic conditions. The western coastal plain is the most humid area of the country, with milder winters and summers than the rest of the country. East of the Orontes Valley begins the desert region. In general the climate is mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along the coast There are four seasons in Damascus, with spring, winter, and fall generally lasting 8 to 12 weeks apiece. Summers can be long, dry, and hot. Short winters can be cold and rainy, with occasional snow. Annual rainfall in Damascus averages 81.6 millimeters (3.21 inches.) Temperatures in Damascus range from lows 0 °C (32 °F) at night to highs of 20 °C (68 °F during the day in the winter, and in the summer from 16 °C (60 °F) to 38 °C (100 °F). Though snow falls infrequently in Damascus, it does snow in the mountains near the city, and some roads are impassible during these storms. |
Border Countries | Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km |
Environment - Current Issues | deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water |
Environment - International Agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification |
Terrain | primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west |
How big is the Syria economy?
Economic Overview |
Syria has been grappling with a complex and protracted conflict since 2011, which has significantly impacted its economy. However, please note that the situation may have evolved since then, and it's important to refer to up-to-date sources for the latest economic developments in Syria. Before the conflict, Syria had a developing economy with diverse sectors, including agriculture, industry, and services. The country was known for its oil and gas reserves, agricultural products, textiles, and tourism. However, the ongoing conflict has resulted in severe disruptions to these sectors and has caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including factories, oil installations, and agricultural areas. GDP and Inflation: The conflict has had a devastating effect on Syria's economy, leading to a significant contraction in GDP. Inflation rates have been high, and the Syrian pound has depreciated substantially, causing further economic challenges for the population. Energy Sector: Syria's energy sector, particularly oil and gas production, has been severely affected by the conflict. Many oil fields and infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed, resulting in a decline in oil production and a loss of revenue from exports. Trade and Sanctions: International trade has been hampered by the conflict and various economic sanctions imposed on Syria. These sanctions, imposed by several countries and international organizations, have restricted foreign investment, financial transactions, and access to global markets, further straining the economy. Humanitarian Situation: The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with millions of Syrians internally displaced and millions more seeking refuge in neighboring countries. The strain on resources and infrastructure has been immense, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the country. Reconstruction Efforts: While the conflict continues, discussions on post-war reconstruction have started. However, the scale of destruction and the economic challenges faced by Syria make the reconstruction process an enormous undertaking, requiring significant financial resources and international support. Informal Economy: Due to the disruptions caused by the conflict, an informal economy has emerged in Syria. Many Syrians have turned to small-scale, informal businesses and activities to sustain their livelihoods, contributing to a fragmented and unregulated economic landscape. |
Industries | petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining |
Currency Name and Code | Syrian Pound (SYP) |
Export Partners | Germany 17.5%, Italy 15.9%, Turkey 7.1%, France 6.8%, UAE 6.6%, Lebanon 4.8% |
Import Partners | Italy 8.1%, Germany 7.4%, China 5.6%, South Korea 4.6%, France 4.4%, US 4.3%, Turkey 4% |
What current events are happening in Syria?
Source: Google News
What makes Syria a unique country to travel to?