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Communications

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, Police and Security Force

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $875 million, 8% of GDP (1994 est.); note - based on official budget data that understate actual spending

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 3,590,557 males fit for military service: 2,011,610 males reach military age (19) annually: 164,598 (1996 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 9, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

3.392 million (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

541,465 (1992 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

700,000 (1993 est.) Defense

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas; beef, lamb, eggs, poultry, milk

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures: $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Syrian pound (LS) = 100 piastres

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $259 million (1993)

Economic overview [time series]

During 1990-92 Syria's state-dominated economy benefited from the Gulf war, increased oil production, good weather, and economic reform. Economic growth averaged roughly 10%. The war led to a Syrian aid windfall of nearly $5 billion from Arab, European, and Japanese donors. Most positive economic trends ended in 1993 due to the dissipation of the Gulf war boom, a domestic financial crisis, and economic policy missteps. Economic growth has dropped below 5%, income inequality is increasing, the government budget deficit is growing, and international accounts are weakening. For the long run, Syria's economy is saddled with a large number of poorly performing public sector firms and low industrial productivity. Oil production is likely to ebb by the end of the decade. Unemployment will likely rise as the more than 60% of the population under age 20 moves into the labor force. The economic benefits of any peace treaty with Israel will depend in large part on the pace of economic reform.

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 4,160,000 kW production: 13.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 865 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

Syrian pounds (LS) per US$1 - 11.225 (official fixed rate), 26.6 ("blended rate" used by the UN and diplomatic missions), 42.0 ("neighboring country rate" - applies to most state enterprise imports), 48.0 - 52.0 (offshore rate) (1994)

Exports [time series]

$3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: petroleum 66%, cotton, fruits and vegetables 14%, textiles 9%, animal products 4%, industrial products 3% partners: EU 61%, Arab countries 24%, former CEMA countries, China, Yugoslavia 5%, US and Canada 3% (1993 est.)

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$21.2 billion (1995 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $91.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 30% industry: 25% services: 45% (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP per capita) [time series]

$5,900 (1995 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]

4.4% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs [time series]

a transit point for Lebanese and Turkish refined cocaine going to Europe and heroin and hashish bound for regional and Western markets

Imports [time series]

$5.4 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery 25%, metal products 16%, transport equipment 15%, foodstuffs 12%, textiles 10% partners: EU 37%, former CEMA countries, China, Yugoslavia 17%, US and Canada 7%, Arab countries 6% (1993 est.)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5% (1994 est.)

Industries [time series]

textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, petroleum

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

15.1% (1994 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.7 million (1995 est.) by occupation: services 42%, industry 36%, agriculture 22% (1990 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

8% (1994 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 185,180 sq km land area: 184,050 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than North Dakota note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory

Climate [time series]

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 hitting Damascus

Coastline [time series]

193 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from dumping of raw sewage and wastes from petroleum refining; inadequate supplies of potable water natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms international agreements: party to - Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Environmental Modification

Geographic coordinates [time series]

35 00 N, 38 00 E

Geography - note (Geographic note) [time series]

there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 1995 est.)

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Hatay question with Turkey; dispute over Turkey's water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976

Irrigated land [time series]

10,000 sq km (1992)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 28% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 46% forest and woodland: 3% other: 20%

Location [time series]

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 41 nm territorial sea: 35 nm

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum

Terrain [time series]

primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus

Capital [time series]

Damascus

Constitution [time series]

13 March 1973

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Walid MUALEM chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971; see note) was reelected for a seven-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1998); results - President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term with 99.98% of the vote; note - President ASAD seized power in the November 1970 coup, assumed presidential powers 22 February 1971, and was confirmed as president in the 12 March 1971 national elections; Vice Presidents 'Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since NA), Rifaat al-ASAD (since NA), and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) were appointed by the president head of government: Prime Minister Mahmud ZUBI (since 1 November 1987), Deputy Prime Ministers Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984), Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981), and Rashid AKHTARINI (since 4 July 1992) were appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 234-9548

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[963] (11) 224-7938

Flag [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band

Independence [time series]

17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Constitutional Court, justices are appointed for four-year terms by the president; High Judicial Council; Court of Cassation; State Security Courts

Legal system [time series]

based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab): elections last held 24-25 August 1994 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (250 total) National Progressive Front 167, independents 83

Country name (Name of country) [time series]

conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic conventional short form: Syria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah local short form: Suriyah former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

National Progressive Front includes [time series]

the ruling Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party, Hafiz al-ASAD, president of the republic, secretary general of the party, and chairman of the National Progressive Front; Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), 'Abd al-Ghani KANNUT; Arab Socialist Union (ASU), Jamal ATASSI; Syrian Communist Party (SCP), Wisal FARHAH; Arab Socialist Unionist Movement, Sami SOUFAN; and Democratic Socialist Union Party, Ghassan UTHMAN

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 17 April (1946)

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

non-Ba'th parties have little effective political influence; Communist party ineffective; conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

republic under military regime since March 1963

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus telephone: [963] (11) 333-2814, 333-0788, 332-0783

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 47% (male 3,738,671; female 3,557,474) 15-64 years: 50% (male 4,013,355; female 3,843,466) 65 years and over: 3% (male 227,249; female 228,433) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

39.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.86 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

40 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French widely understood

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 67.13 years male: 65.94 years female: 68.38 years (1996 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 70.8% male: 85.7% female: 55.8%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population [time series]

15,608,648 (July 1996 est.) note: in addition, there are 31,300 people living in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 16,500 Arabs (15,000 Druze and 1,500 Alawites) and 14,800 Israeli settlers (August 1995 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.37% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.91 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 99 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 62 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13 (1995 est.)

Heliports [time series]

2 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 31,569 km paved: 24,308 km (including 712 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,261 km (1991 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 99 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 294,355 GRT/454,990 DWT ships by type: bulk 12, cargo 85, livestock carrier 1, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 km

Ports [time series]

Baniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus

Railways [time series]

total: 1,998 km broad gauge: 1,766 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 232 km 1.050-m gauge

Waterways [time series]

870 km; minimal economic importance