republic under an authoritarian military-dominated regime
Independence date
11 July 1921 (from China)
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
Religions
Buddhist Lamaist 50%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none 40% (2004)
Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat
External Debt
$1,900,000,000 $
$7,074,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,170 (2007), 1,165 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004), 1,146.5 (2003)
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 46.5281 (2008 est.), 50.0085 (2007), 51.689 (2006), 50 (2005), 48.5 (2004) note: data for 2004-06 are the public sector rate; data for 2002-03 are the parallel market rate in 'Amman and Beirut; the official rate for repaying loans was 11.25 Syrian pounds per US dollars during 2004-06,
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.400%
5.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
0
Location
Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Area
1,564,116 km sq
185,180 km sq
Coastline
0 km
193 km
Climate
desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus
