Discover Fascinating Syria Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Syria.
Syria
Background
π Syria's Journey Through Time π
Syria has a rich and interesting history! After World War I, France took charge of Syria as a mandate, overseeing the northern part of the former Ottoman Empire starting from 1918. π«π· This lasted until 1946 when Syria gained its independence! π
In 1958, Syria joined forces with Egypt to create the United Arab Republic. πΈπΎ+πͺπ¬=β€οΈ However, this partnership was short-lived. Just three years later, in 1961, the two countries decided to go their separate ways, reestablishing the Syrian Arab Republic. π
Syriaβs history is like a rollercoaster, filled with both challenges and changes! π’
Independence Year
1946
Year of Union with Egypt
1958
Year of Separation
1961
Exports - commodities
Syria is known for its rich agricultural products and some important exports that play a key role in its economy. π In 2022, the country exported various commodities including pure olive oil, nuts, phosphates, cotton, and garments. Each of these items is significant to both local industries and international trade. π³οΈ Let's delve into some interesting statistics about these exports!
Key Exports
Pure olive oil, nuts, phosphates, cotton, garments
Exports - partners
π Let's dive into Syria's export partners for 2022! Here's how Syria's exports are broken down among its top partners:
- Turkey: 29% π
- Kuwait: 15% π΄π²
- Lebanon: 14% π±π§
- Jordan: 8% π―π΄
- Egypt: 7% πͺπ¬
This pie chart will help you visualize the export relationships! π
Total Export Partners
5
Highest Partner
Turkey
Lowest Partner
Egypt
Syria's Export Partners in 2022
Capital
π Welcome to Syria, where the capital city is the historic Damascus! This beautiful city is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Known for its rich culture and history, Damascus offers a blend of ancient architecture and modern life. πβ¨
Capital City of Syria
Damascus
Imports - commodities
Syria imports a variety of essential commodities to meet the needs of its people. π’ Here are some of the main imports:
- Tobacco π₯³: This is a popular product enjoyed by many.
- Plastics ποΈ: Used for countless everyday items, plastics are pivotal in modern life.
- Wheat πΎ: A staple food, wheat is crucial for making bread and many other foods.
- Seed Oils π»: These oils are frequently used in cooking and food production.
- Plastic Products π§΄: From containers to toys, plastic products are everywhere!
These commodities play a vital role in the economy and lifestyle of Syria, highlighting the importance of trade in providing these goods.
Main imported commodities in 2022
Tobacco, Plastics, Wheat, Seed oils, Plastic products
Climate
π Syria's climate is primarily characterized as mostly desert. This means that hot, dry, and sunny summers stretch from June to August. In contrast, mild, rainy winters take place from December to February along the coast. However, if you're in Damascus, prepare for cold weather that can sometimes bring snow or sleet. βοΈ So, whether you're dreaming of sunny beach days or cozy winter vibes, Syria has a bit of it all!
Summer Characteristics
Hot, dry, sunny
Winter Characteristics
Mild, rainy
Damascus Weather
Cold with snow or sleet occasionally
Executive branch
π Executive Branch in Syria
In Syria, the leadership has seen some dramatic changes recently! The position of Chief of State is currently vacant. This came after the former President, Bashar al-ASAD, was overthrown by Islamist rebels on December 8, 2024. After his fall from power, ASAD and his family found refuge in Moscow, where they received political asylum.
On a brighter note, the head of government is now Prime Minister Muhammad al-BASHIR, who took office also on December 8, 2024. The political landscape is shifting, and it's an interesting time for Syria! π
Date of former President's overthrow
December 8, 2024
Location of political asylum
Moscow
Current head of government
Prime Minister Muhammad al-BASHIR
Legislative branch
In Syria, the legislative branch is represented by the unicameral People's Assembly! ποΈ This assembly has a total of 250 seats where members gather to make important decisions for the country. It's an essential part of how Syria's government operates, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard in the legislative process! π³οΈ
Total Seats in People's Assembly
250
Natural resources
π Syria is rich in various natural resources! Hereβs a peek into what the country has to offer:
- Petroleum: A vital resource that fuels energy production.
- Phosphates: Essential for fertilizers, making agriculture bloom! π±
- Chrome and manganese ores: Useful in the manufacturing of metals.
- Asphalt: Key for paving roads and making highways smooth! π£οΈ
- Iron ore: An important material for building structures.
- Rock salt: Not just for flavoring food but also for industrial uses.
- Marble: Beautiful stone used in construction and sculptures. ποΈ
- Gypsum: Often used in plaster and wallboard.
- Hydropower: A clean source of energy harnessed from water! π§
These resources support Syria's economy and provide materials for daily life.
Economic overview
π Economic Overview of Syria π
Syria is facing tough times! It's considered a low-income economy in the Middle East. The country has suffered greatly due to an 11-year civil war that has devastated its infrastructure and economy. π But thatβs not all! Ongoing US sanctions are making things even harder.
There has been some movement of people during the conflict, known as sporadic trans-migration. π₯ Currently, Syria is receiving help from a World Bank trust fund to improve its circumstances. And itβs important to mention that hyperinflation is still a major issue affecting daily life. ππΈ
Duration of Civil War
11 years
Economic Classification
Low-income
Government type
In Syria, the government is classified as a presidential republic which operates under a highly authoritarian regime. This means that while there is a president, the power is concentrated and there are strict limitations on political freedoms and civil liberties. π«π³οΈ Citizens have very limited opportunities to participate in government decision-making, making the political landscape quite challenging in the country.
Government Structure
Presidential Republic
Authoritarian Level
Highly Authoritarian
Ethnic groups
In Syria, the population is made up of several distinct ethnic groups π. Hereβs how the ethnic pie is sliced! π₯§
- Arabs: 50% of the population, making them the largest group.
- Alawites: About 15% are Alawites, a significant minority.
- Kurds: Another 10% are Kurds, contributing to Syria's rich cultural tapestry.
- Levantines: Also 10%, this group shares a rich historical background.
- Others: The remaining 15% includes various groups like Druze, Ismaili, Imami, Nusairi, Assyrian, Turkoman, and Armenian.
This diverse mix of ethnic groups contributes to the unique identity of Syria! π
Percentage of Arabs
50%
Percentage of Alawites
15%
Percentage of Kurds
10%
Percentage of Levantines
10%
Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups
15%
Ethnic Distribution in Syria
Religions
In Syria, the religion landscape is quite diverse! π Here's a quick breakdown of the different faiths:
- Muslims: 87% of the population are Muslims, which includes 74% Sunni and 13% belonging to Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia groups.
- Christians: They make up about 10% of the population, consisting of various branches like Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian.
- Druze: They account for 3% of the population.
This rich tapestry of religions shows how the people of Syria celebrate various belief systems! β¨
Percentage of Muslims in Syria
87%
Percentage of Christians in Syria
10%
Percentage of Druze in Syria
3%
Percentage of Sunni Muslims
74%
Percentage of Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia Muslims
13%
Distribution of Religions in Syria
Languages
Syria is a colorful tapestry of languages! π The official language is Arabic, but that's just the beginning. Here's a peek at the array of languages spoken in this fascinating country:
- Kurdish
- Armenian
- Aramaic
- Circassian
- French
- English
Whether you're ordering a delicious meal or exploring beautiful landscapes, knowing a few words in these languages can make your journey even more exciting! πβ¨
Number of Languages Spoken
7
Imports - partners
Syria's imports come from a variety of countries, with Turkey being the biggest partner! π Let's break it down:
- Turkey: 45% πΉπ·
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): 10% π¦πͺ
- China: 9% π¨π³
- Lebanon: 8% π±π§
- Egypt: 7% πͺπ¬
Together, these countries play a huge role in Syria's economy. Isn't it interesting how trade links us all? π€
Total percentage of top import partners
79%
Syria's Import Partners (2022)
Population
π Syria's total population is 23,865,423 people! That's a lot of neighbors to wave to! π With such a vibrant community, each person contributes to the rich tapestry of Syrian culture and society. π
Total Population
23,865,423
Area
π Let's explore the area of Syria! The total area of this fascinating country is 187,437 sq km. π Most of this area is land, covering 185,887 sq km! But don't forget about the beautiful water areas, which span 1,550 sq km. π§ Isn't it interesting how each part of the area plays a role in the country's geography?
Total Area of Syria
187437 sq km
Land Area of Syria
185887 sq km
Water Area of Syria
1550 sq km
Area Composition of Syria
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Let's take a look at Syria's economy! The Real GDP (purchasing power parity) gives us an idea of the country's economic performance over the past few years. Hereβs how it has changed:
- In 2021, Syria's Real GDP was $62.151 billion.
- In 2020, it was $61.353 billion.
- In 2019, it reached $61.465 billion.
As we can see, the economy shows a bit of growth from 2020 to 2021! π Let's visualize this data to understand the trend better.
Real GDP in 2021
62.151 billion USD
Real GDP in 2020
61.353 billion USD
Real GDP in 2019
61.465 billion USD
Syria's Real GDP Over Time
Real GDP per capita
π Let's dive into the Real GDP per capita of Syria! This statistic tells us the average economic output per person in the country. Here's how it has changed in recent years:
- 2021: $2,900
- 2020: $3,000
- 2019: $3,100
As we can see, the numbers have been fluctuating, with a decrease from 2019 to 2021. π
These figures help us understand the economic situation for the people living in Syria. Every small change in GDP per capita can have a big impact on the daily lives of citizens. πΌ
Real GDP per capita in Syria (2019-2021)
Imports
π Let's explore Syria's imports over the years! π In 2021, Syria imported goods worth $6.553 billion! That's a big jump from $3.751 billion in 2020. If we look back to 2019, they imported $6.552 billion. It seems like the imports fluctuated quite a bit! ππ°
Here's a quick look at the numbers:
- 2019: $6.552 billion
- 2020: $3.751 billion
- 2021: $6.553 billion
Import Value in 2021
$6.553 billion
Import Value in 2020
$3.751 billion
Import Value in 2019
$6.552 billion
Syria's Imports Over Years
Exports
Let's dive into Syria's exports! π’π° Between 2019 and 2021, the total exports have seen some ups and downs. In 2019, Syria exported goods worth $2.94 billion. But in 2020, the exports dropped to $1.649 billion. Thankfully, in 2021, they bounced back to $2.224 billion! π
Hereβs a quick overview of the export values over the years:
- 2019: $2.94 billion
- 2020: $1.649 billion
- 2021: $2.224 billion
These figures tell a story of resilience and recovery! π
Highest Exports
2.94 billion
Lowest Exports
1.649 billion
Average Exports (2019-2021)
2.29 billion
Syria Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
π Syria has an estimated population growth rate of 1.67% in 2024! This means that more people are calling Syria home and adding to its rich culture and diversity! πβ¨
Population growth rate in 2024
1.67%