# Syria

> country in West Asia

**Wikidata**: [Q858](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q858)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/syria

## Summary

Syria is a sovereign state in West Asia, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, with Damascus as its capital. The country gained independence from French colonial rule on April 17, 1946, and currently operates as a semi-presidential republic. Syria borders Turkey, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, and is a member of the United Nations, League of Arab States, and numerous international organizations.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Syrian Arab Republic (الجمهورية العربية السورية)
- **Capital**: Damascus
- **Independence**: Achieved April 17, 1946 from France
- **Area**: 185,180 square kilometres
- **Population (2024 estimate)**: 23,865,423
- **Official Language**: Arabic
- **Currency**: Syrian pound (introduced March 28, 1953)
- **Government System**: Semi-presidential republic (since March 13, 1973)
- **Driving Side**: Right-hand traffic
- **Electricity**: 220V, 50Hz (Europlug, Type E, Type L plugs)
- **Timezone**: UTC+03:00 (Asia/Damascus), permanent daylight saving time
- **Country Calling Code**: +963
- **Internet TLD**: .sy
- **ISO Codes**: SY (alpha-2), SYR (alpha-3), 760 (numeric)
- **Coordinates**: 35.216667°N, 38.583333°E
- **Highest Point**: Mount Hermon (2,813.95 metres)
- **Lowest Point**: Sea of Galilee (-214 metres)
- **Continent**: Asia
- **Region**: Middle East, West Asia (Levant)
- **National Anthem**: Humat ad-Diyar
- **Age of Majority**: 18 years
- **Marriageable Age**: 18 years (all genders)
- **Emergency Numbers**: 112 (police), 110 (ambulance), 113 (fire)
- **Life Expectancy**: 72 years (2022)
- **Human Development Index**: 0.577 (2021)
- **Gini Coefficient**: 37.5 (2003)
- **Total Fertility Rate**: 2.95 (2014)

## FAQs

**What is Syria's political structure?**
Syria is a semi-presidential republic with a unitary state system. The President serves as head of state, while the Prime Minister leads the government. The legislative body is the People's Assembly of Syria, and the highest judicial authority is the Supreme Constitutional Court.

**What are Syria's international memberships?**
Syria is a member of the United Nations (since October 24, 1945), League of Arab States (since March 22, 1945), UNESCO (since November 16, 1946), World Health Organization, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (since October 14, 2013), International Telecommunication Union (since January 12, 1924), World Meteorological Organization (since July 16, 1952), and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1972).

**What languages are spoken in Syria?**
The official language is Modern Standard Arabic. Other languages used include North Levantine Arabic, Iraqi Arabic, North Mesopotamian Arabic, Kurmanji, Turoyo, Western Neo-Aramaic, Mlahsô, Najdi Arabic, English, and French.

**What are Syria's demographic statistics?**
As of 2024, Syria's population is estimated at 23,865,423, with approximately 11,981,578 males and 11,883,845 females. The urban population in 2022 was 12,560,283 while rural population was 9,564,966. The birth rate is 20.531 per 1,000 (2022) and death rate is 5.047 per 1,000 (2022).

**What is Syria's economic profile?**
Syria's Gini coefficient was 37.5 in 2003, indicating moderate income inequality. The country uses the Syrian pound as currency, with GS1 country code 621. The economy is classified as "not-free" according to Freedom House's Freedom in the World report.

**What are Syria's geographical features?**
Syria covers 185,180 km² with diverse terrain. Mount Hermon reaches 2,813.95 metres at the highest point, while the Sea of Galilee sits at -214 metres. The country has 1.1% water coverage. Coordinates span from 37.318472°N (northernmost) to 32.311389°S (southernmost), and from 35.716389°E (westernmost) to 42.376111°E (easternmost).

**What is Syria's religious composition?**
The predominant Islamic legal school is Malikism, which prevails in Syria alongside other jurisprudence schools. The country has historical connections to various religious traditions dating back centuries.

**What are Syria's diplomatic relationships?**
Syria maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries including Russia, China (since August 1, 1956), United States, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, Egypt, North Korea (since July 25, 1966), India, Pakistan, Germany, Japan, Greece, and many others.

## Why It Matters

Syria holds profound historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance that extends far beyond its borders. As one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited civilizations, Syria sits at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and has been a crucible for human history, containing archaeological sites such as Palmyra, Ugarit, and Apamea that have yielded invaluable insights into human development.

The country's strategic location in the Levant—bordering the Mediterranean Sea and sharing boundaries with five nations—makes it a pivotal player in regional politics, economics, and security dynamics. Syria's membership in the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation reflects its influence within the broader Middle Eastern and Islamic worlds.

Syria's modern history has been marked by significant political transformations, including the period as part of the United Arab Republic with Egypt (1958-1961), multiple coups, and the Ba'athist era beginning in 1963. The country's civil war, which began in 2011, has had devastating humanitarian consequences and has drawn extensive international attention, making Syria a focal point of global diplomatic efforts.

The nation's cultural heritage encompasses diverse religious sites, architectural treasures, and artistic traditions spanning Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad, Ottoman, and French Mandate periods. This rich tapestry makes Syria significant for historians, archaeologists, religious scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the development of human civilization.

Economically, Syria's position as a transit country, its oil resources, agricultural production, and historical tourism industry have regional implications. The country's demographic profile—with a young population and high fertility rates historically—affects labor markets, migration patterns, and social services across the region.

## Notable For

- **Ancient Capital**: Damascus is widely considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world
- **UNESCO World Heritage Sites**: Ancient City of Bosra, Ancient City of Palmyra, Ancient City of Aleppo, Crac des Chevaliers, Ancient Village of Maaloula, and Ancient City of Ebla
- **Strategic Location**: Controls key transit routes between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia
- **Chemical Weapons History**: Joined the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 2013
- **Permanent Daylight Saving Time**: One of few countries maintaining UTC+03:00 year-round without seasonal changes
- **Linguistic Diversity**: Home to multiple Arabic dialects, Kurdish varieties, and Neo-Aramaic languages
- **Historical Federation**: Was part of the United Arab Republic with Egypt (1958-1961)
- **French Mandate History**: Former French colony until 1946
- **Mediterranean Access**: One of several Mediterranean countries in the region

## Body

### History and Political Development

Syria's modern political existence began with the French Mandate following the Ottoman Empire's collapse during World War I. The country was officially established as a state on March 8, 1920, though French control continued until independence on April 17, 1946. Syria joined the United Nations on October 24, 1945, becoming one of the founding members of the international organization.

The early post-independence period saw significant political instability, including multiple coups and counter-coups. From 1958 to 1961, Syria formed the United Arab Republic with Egypt under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, though this union dissolved amid political disagreements. The Ba'ath Party seized power in the 1963 March 8 Revolution, establishing the socialist Arab Republic that persists today.

The government structure evolved into a semi-presidential system on March 13, 1973, with the adoption of a new constitution. Hafez al-Assad ruled from 1971 until his death in 2000, when his son Bashar al-Assad assumed the presidency. The head of state position was held by Bashar al-Assad from July 17, 2000, until December 8, 2024, when significant political changes occurred.

### Geography and Natural Features

Syria encompasses 185,180 square kilometres of diverse terrain in the Levant region of West Asia. The country's geographical coordinates center at 35.216667°N latitude and 38.583333°E longitude. Syria's northernmost point reaches 37.318472°N at longitude 42.22°E, while the southernmost point extends to 32.311389°N at 36.838056°E. The westernmost point lies at 35.585833°N, 35.716389°E, and the easternmost point reaches 37.076667°N, 42.376111°E.

The topography features significant elevation differences. Mount Hermon, located at the intersection of the Syrian, Lebanese, and Israeli borders, rises to 2,813.95 metres above sea level, making it the highest point in the country. The lowest point is the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), which sits at -214 metres below sea level. Approximately 1.1% of Syria's territory consists of water bodies.

The country shares borders with five nations: Turkey to the north, Israel to the southwest, Jordan to the south, Iraq to the east, and Lebanon to the west. Syria also has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, qualifying it as a Mediterranean country. The territory claimed by France during the colonial period ended on April 17, 1946.

### Administrative Structure

Syria is divided into fourteen governorates (muhafazat), each with local administrative autonomy. These include Damascus Governorate (the capital province), Rif Dimashq Governorate (surrounding Damascus), Quneitra Governorate, Daraa Governorate, Suwayda Governorate, Homs Governorate, Tartus Governorate, Latakia Governorate, Hama Governorate, Idlib Governorate, Aleppo Governorate, Raqqa Governorate, Deir ez-Zor Governorate, and Hasakah Governorate.

The executive body is the Government of Syria, headed by the Council of Ministers. The legislative body is the People's Assembly of Syria, and the highest judicial authority is the Supreme Constitutional Court. The central bank is the Central Bank of Syria, responsible for monetary policy and currency issuance.

### Demographics and Population

Syria's population has undergone significant fluctuations due to conflict, displacement, and migration. The population stood at approximately 4.6 million in 1960 and grew steadily through the decades, reaching around 21 million by 2010. Following the onset of civil conflict in 2011, population figures show fluctuations, with estimates of 17 million in 2014, then rising to approximately 18.3 million by 2017-2018.

The 2024 estimate places the population at 23,865,423, with 11,981,578 males and 11,883,845 females. The 2023 estimate was 22,933,531. Population distribution shows significant urbanization, with 12,560,283 urban residents in 2022 compared to 9,564,966 rural residents.

The birth rate has shown variations, with 20.531 births per 1,000 population in 2022 (preferred value), following 20.111 in 2021 and 19.67 in 2020. Death rates have remained relatively stable, at 5.047 per 1,000 in 2022, 5.117 in 2021, and 4.99 in 2020.

Life expectancy reached 72 years by 2022, remaining consistent from 2019-2022 after declines in the mid-2010s. The total fertility rate was 2.95 in 2014 (preferred value), having declined from 4.07 in 1999. The human development index was 0.577 in 2021, down from a peak of 0.691 in 2011.

### Economy and Development Indicators

Syria's economy has been significantly affected by ongoing conflict since 2011. The Gini coefficient, measuring income inequality, was 37.5 in 2003. The country is classified as "not-free" in Freedom House's Freedom in the World report.

The human development index trajectory shows progress from 0.562 in 1990 to a peak of 0.691 in 2011, followed by decline to 0.573 in 2013 and subsequent recovery to 0.577 by 2021. The inequality-adjusted human development index was 0.553 in 2011.

Demographic challenges include the number of out-of-school children, which reached 2,416,365 in 2013 (preferred value), up from approximately 1.1 million in the early 2000s. Compulsory education applies to children from ages 6 to 15.

### International Relations and Memberships

Syria maintains diplomatic relationships with numerous countries worldwide. Key bilateral relationships include those with Russia, China (established August 1, 1956), United States, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, Egypt, North Korea (since July 25, 1966), India, Pakistan, Germany, Japan, Greece, United Kingdom, and many others.

The country participates in multiple international organizations: United Nations (member since October 24, 1945, rejoined October 13, 1961 after the UAR period), League of Arab States (since March 22, 1945), UNESCO (since November 16, 1946), World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization (since July 16, 1952), International Telecommunication Union (since January 12, 1924), Universal Postal Union (since May 15, 1946), Interpol (founder member since June 29, 1953), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (since October 14, 2013), and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1972).

Additional memberships include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (since April 10, 1947), International Finance Corporation (since June 28, 1962), International Development Association (since June 28, 1962), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (since May 14, 2002), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (since February 24, 2006), World Customs Organization (since November 19, 1959), International Hydrographic Organization, International Civil Defence Organisation (since September 12, 1972), and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

### Cultural and Social Aspects

Syria's cultural identity is shaped by its position in the Levant and its diverse religious and ethnic heritage. The demonym "Syrian" applies across multiple languages and genders, with various forms in Arabic (سوري for masculine, سورية for feminine, سوريون for plural), Russian (сирийцы), Hebrew (סורי, סורית), Romanian (sirian, siriancă), and many other languages.

The national anthem is "Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Land). The official name in Arabic is "الجمهورية العربية السورية" (al-Jumhūriyya al-ʿArabiyya al-Sūriyya), with the formal name in French being "la République arabe syrienne."

Education is compulsory from ages 6 to 15, with the age of majority set at 18. Marriageable age is 18 for all genders. The country maintains a diverse educational system with historical ties to various international educational frameworks.

### Infrastructure and Daily Life

Syria operates on right-hand traffic with vehicles using license plate code "SYR" since 1952. The country uses the Europlug, Type E, and Type L electrical plug types, with mains voltage of 220V at 50Hz.

Emergency services can be reached at 112 (police), 110 (emergency medical services), and 113 (fire department). The telephone country code is +963, and the mobile country code is 417. The ITU letter code is SYR, and the IOC country code is SYR.

Internet infrastructure includes the top-level domain ".sy". The country participates in the Unicode standard with the flag emoji 🇸🇾 and has been assigned various identification numbers across international systems.

### International Identification Codes

Syria is identified through multiple international coding systems: ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code "SY", alpha-3 code "SYR", and numeric code "760". The M49 code is 760. FIPS 10-4 code is "SY". The UNDP country code is "SYR". The WIPO ST.3 code is "SY".

Geographic identifiers include Geonames ID 163843, OpenStreetMap relation ID 184840, and OpenStreetMap node ID 424311806. The maritime identification digits are 468. The UIC numerical country code is 97, with alphabetical code "SYR".

### Historical Context and Heritage

Syria's territory has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence of human civilization dating back thousands of years. The region has seen numerous empires and civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads, Abbasids, Ottomans, and French.

The country contains numerous World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO, including the Ancient City of Bosra, Ancient City of Palmyra, Ancient City of Aleppo, Crac des Chevaliers (a Crusader castle), Ancient Village of Maaloula, and Ancient City of Ebla. These sites represent the country's rich archaeological and cultural heritage spanning multiple historical periods.

The flag of Syria has undergone multiple changes throughout history, reflecting political transformations. Current and recent flags include versions from 2024-2025, 1980-2024, 1972-1980, 1961-1963, 1958-1971 (as part of the United Arab Republic), and earlier French Mandate and Kingdom of Syria variants.

### Religion and Society

While Islam is the predominant religion, Syria is notable for the prevalence of the Malikite school of Islamic jurisprudence, one of the four major Sunni schools of law. The Malikite school is particularly dominant in North Africa, the Arabian Gulf, and parts of the Levant, including Syria.

The country is home to diverse religious communities and has historically been a center for various Christian denominations, Jewish communities, and other religious groups. Religious sites of significance to multiple faiths are found throughout the country.

### Sports and International Participation

Syria participates in international sporting organizations under the IOC code "SYR". The country has representation in various international sporting competitions and maintains sports facilities and programs across the country.

### Media and Communication

The country has various media outlets and maintains an online presence through multiple platforms. Syria has its own subreddit (r/Syria) available in Arabic and English. The country is represented in international news coverage through various media organizations and has dedicated topic pages on major news platforms.

### Transportation and Connectivity

Syria's transportation infrastructure includes road networks connecting to neighboring countries. The country code for vehicles is "SYR" (since 1952), and international driving permits are recognized. The railway system uses UIC alphabetical country code "SYR". Air transport is served by international airports in Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, and other cities.

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