republic under an authoritarian military-dominated regime
military junta
Independence date
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
28 November 1960 (from France)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya
Exports
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat
iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum
External Debt
$7,074,000,000 $
$2,816,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
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,
ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - NA (2007), 271.3 (2006), 267.04 (2005), 265.8 (2004), 263.03 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
5.900%
5.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Area
185,180 km sq
1,030,700 km sq
Coastline
193 km
754 km
Climate
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
