The Syrian Arab Republic (Al-Jamhouriya al Arabia as-Souriya)

Area: 186 000 sq Km/ 72 000 sq mi

Capital: Damascus (Al Sham)

President: Dr. Bashar Al Assad

Government: Syria is a Socialist Republic based on the constitution of 1973. The legislature consists of the 250- member Majlis Al-Shaab (People's Assembly) which is directly elected for a four year term. The President is elected for a seven-year term and is responsible for the appointment and dismissal of Vice-Presidents, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

political parties: The Arab Baath Party; Arab Socialist Party; Arab Socialist Unionist Party; Communist Party of Syria; Syrian Arab Socialist Union Party; Unionist Socialist Democratic Party; and the Union Socialist Party.

Main Cities: Aleppo (Halab), Homs, Hama

Chief Ports: Latakia (Al Lathiquiya) and Tartous

Physical: Fertile and desert plains, a variety of mountains. 

Main River: The Euphrates

Exports: Cotton, Cereals, Oil, and Phosphates

Currency: The Syrian pound (The Syrian Lira). The Syrian pound = 100 piasters. Official rate is 46 pounds = $1

Electricity: 220 Volts

Population: approx. 17 000 000 Annual growth rate in the 90's was 3.6 

Religion: Sunni Muslim (approx. %80), Christian sects (12%) and other Islamic sects including Alawites and Druze.

Ethnic Minorities: Most of the population (90%) is Arab. Minorities include the Kurds (mostly in the northern farm regions) and Armenians (in the Northern cities). There are also communities of Palestinians in Damascus and a community of Tcherkas from the Caucus.

Energy: About 20 percent of Syria's electricity is generated in hydroelectric facilities, mainly from the generators at the Euphates Dam. The remainder is produced in thermal installations. 

Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphate rock, asphalt, and salt are the main minerals found in Syria. They are found in sufficiently large quantities for commercial exploitation. Also existent are small deposits of coal, iron ore, copper, lead, and gold, primarily in mountainous regions. 

GNP: Approx. $16.5 Billion (early 90's estimate)

Economy: The estimated annual national budget in the early 1990s included about $5.4 billion in domestic revenue and $7.5 billion in expenditure, including capital expenditures of $2.9 billion.

Telecommunications and Media: Syria has two land (regional) television channels, the first is broadcast in Arabic. Syrian channel 2 has a wide range of English and French programs. Syria also has a Satellite channel, which was recently redeveloped, to be transmitted to Europe, North and South America, and Africa. Syria has only just started providing Internet and email services through a couple of servers in Damascus. Mobiles and cellular phones are now going through a trial period.

Telephone Codes: (011) Damascus, (021) Aleppo, (031) Homs and Palmyra, (033) Hama, (041) Latakia, (043) Tartous, (042) Banias, (032) Safita, (022) Al Raqqa, (051) Deir Ezzor, (052) Al Hassakeh, (053) Al Kamishli, (016) Al Suweida