2012 Edition

Background

Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability, however, and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the socialist Ba'th Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional peace talks over its return. Following the death of President al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007 Bashar al-ASAD's second term as president was approved by popular referendum. Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, antigovernment protests broke out in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Since then demonstrations and unrest have spread to nearly every city in Syria, but the size and intensity of protests have fluctuated over time. The government responded to unrest with a mix of concessions - including the repeal of the Emergency Law and approving new laws permitting new political parties and liberalizing local and national elections - and force. However, the government's response has failed to meet opposition demands for ASAD to step down, and the government's ongoing security operations to quell unrest and widespread armed opposition activity have led to extended violent clashes between government forces and oppositionists. International pressure on the ASAD regime has intensified since late 2011 as the Arab League, EU, Turkey, and the United States have expanded economic sanctions against the regime. Lakhdar BRAHIMI, current Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, in October 2012 began meeting with regional heads of state to assist in brokering a cease-fire. In December 2012, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces was recognized by more than 130 countries as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Unrest persists in 2013,and the death toll among Syrian government forces, Opposition Forces, and civilians has topped 60,000.

Area

185,180 sq km 183,630 sq km 1,550 sq km includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory

total

185,180 sq km

water

1,550 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than North Dakota

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

Coastline

193 km

Elevation extremes

unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m Mount Hermon 2,814 m

highest point

Mount Hermon 2,814 m

lowest point

unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Environmental Modification

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

19.95 cu km/yr (3%/2%/95%) 1,048 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,048 cu m/yr (2000)

total

19.95 cu km/yr (3%/2%/95%)

Geographic coordinates

35 00 N, 38 00 E

Geography - note

the capital of Damascus - located at an oasis fed by the Barada River - is thought to be one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities; there are 41 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (2010 est.)

Irrigated land

13,560 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

2,253 km Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km

border countries

Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km

total

2,253 km

Land use

24.8% 4.47% 70.73% (2005)

arable land

24.8%

other

70.73% (2005)

permanent crops

4.47%

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

dust storms, sandstorms Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries

volcanism

Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries

Natural resources

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

Terrain

primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west

Total renewable water resources

46.1 cu km (1997)

Age structure

34.6% (male 3,990,769/ female 3,793,859) 61.6% (male 7,059,306/ female 6,828,799) 3.8% (male 393,984/ female 464,029) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

34.6% (male 3,990,769/ female 3,793,859)

15-64 years

61.6% (male 7,059,306/ female 6,828,799)

65 years and over

3.8% (male 393,984/ female 464,029) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

23.52 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

10% (2006)

Death rate

3.67 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2003 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

15.12 deaths/1,000 live births 17.38 deaths/1,000 live births 12.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

12.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

15.12 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

74.92 years 72.53 years 77.45 years (2012 est.)

female

77.45 years (2012 est.)

total population

74.92 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 79.6% 86% 73.6% (2004 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

73.6% (2004 census)

male

86%

total population

79.6%

Major cities - population

Aleppo 2.985 million; DAMASCUS (capital) 2.527 million; Hims 1.276 million; Hamah 854,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

70 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

22.3 years 22.1 years 22.5 years (2012 est.)

female

22.5 years (2012 est.)

male

22.1 years

total

22.3 years

Nationality

Syrian(s) Syrian

adjective

Syrian

noun

Syrian(s)

Net migration rate

-27.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.5 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

22,530,746 (July 2012 est.) approximately 18,700 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2011)

Population growth rate

-0.797% (2012 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim (Islam - official) 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96% of population rural: 95% of population total: 96% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 5% of population total: 4% of population

rural

5% of population

total

4% of population

urban

4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 12 years 11 years (2007)

female

11 years (2007)

male

12 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.85 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.85 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

19.1% 13.1% 49.1% (2007)

female

49.1% (2007)

total

19.1%

Urbanization

56% of total population (2010) 2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

56% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Damascus 33 30 N, 36 18 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October

geographic coordinates

33 30 N, 36 18 E

name

Damascus

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

13 March 1973; amended February 2012

Country name

Syrian Arab Republic Syria Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah Suriyah United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

conventional long form

Syrian Arab Republic

conventional short form

Syria

former

United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah

local short form

Suriyah

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Robert S. FORD; note - on 6 February 2012, the US closed its embassy in Damascus Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus P. O. Box 29, Damascus [963] (11) 3391-4444 [963] (11) 3391-3999

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert S. FORD; note - on 6 February 2012, the US closed its embassy in Damascus

embassy

Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus

FAX

[963] (11) 3391-3999

mailing address

P. O. Box 29, Damascus

telephone

[963] (11) 3391-4444

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant) 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-6313 [1] (202) 265-4585

chancery

2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-4585

telephone

[1] (202) 232-6313

Executive branch

President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 21 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy Prime Minister Wael al-HALQI (since 9 August 2012) Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - new Council appointed on 14 April 2011 president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%, other 2.4%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - new Council appointed on 14 April 2011

chief of state

President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 21 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy

election results

Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%, other 2.4%

elections

president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers

head of government

Prime Minister Wael al-HALQI (since 9 August 2012)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the current design dates to 1980 similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band

Government type

republic under an authoritarian regime

Independence

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Judicial Council (appoints and dismisses judges; headed by the president); national level - Supreme Constitutional Court (adjudicates electoral disputes and rules on constitutionality of laws and decrees; justices appointed for four-year terms by the president); Court of Cassation; Appeals Courts (Appeals Courts represent an intermediate level between the Court of Cassation and local level courts); local level - Magistrate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Juvenile Courts; Customs Courts; specialized courts - Economic Security Courts (hear cases related to economic crimes); Supreme State Security Court (hear cases related to national security); Personal Status Courts (religious; hear cases related to marriage and divorce)

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)

Legislative branch

unicameral People's Assembly or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 7 May 2012 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

elections

last held on 7 May 2012 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland) Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem

lyrics/music

Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL

name

"Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland)

National holiday

Independence Day, 17 April (1946)

National symbol(s)

hawk

Political parties and leaders

National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan al-QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [As'ad HARDAN]; Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL]) Kurdish Azadi Party; Kurdish Democratic Accord Party (al Wifaq); Kurdish Democratic Party (al Parti-Ibrahim wing); Kurdish Democratic Party (al Parti-Mustafa wing); Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria or KDP-S; Kurdish Democratic Patriotic/National Party; Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party or KDPP-Darwish; Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party or KDPP-Muhammad; Kurdish Democratic Union Party or PYD [Salih Muslim MOHAMMAD]; Kurdish Democratic Unity Party; Kurdish Democratic Yekiti Party; Kurdish Future Party or KFP; Kurdish Future Party [Rezan HASSAN]; Kurdish Left Party; Kurdish Yekiti (Union) Party; Syrian Kurdish Democratic Party Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI]

Kurdish parties (considered illegal)

Kurdish Azadi Party; Kurdish Democratic Accord Party (al Wifaq); Kurdish Democratic Party (al Parti-Ibrahim wing); Kurdish Democratic Party (al Parti-Mustafa wing); Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria or KDP-S; Kurdish Democratic Patriotic/National Party; Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party or KDPP-Darwish; Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party or KDPP-Muhammad; Kurdish Democratic Union Party or PYD [Salih Muslim MOHAMMAD]; Kurdish Democratic Unity Party; Kurdish Democratic Yekiti Party; Kurdish Future Party or KFP; Kurdish Future Party [Rezan HASSAN]; Kurdish Left Party; Kurdish Yekiti (Union) Party; Syrian Kurdish Democratic Party

legal parties

National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan al-QUDSI]; Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [As'ad HARDAN]; Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL])

other parties

Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Free Syrian Army; National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Oppositon Forces or Syrian Oppositon Coalition [Mu'aaz al-KHATIB] (operates in exile in Cairo); Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Muhammad Riyad al-SHAQFAH] (operates in exile in London) note - there are also hundreds of local groups that organize protests and stage armed attacks

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk

Budget

$6.511 billion $12.68 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$12.68 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$6.511 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.75% (31 December 2012 est.) 5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.7% (31 December 2012 est.) 10.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$5.103 billion (2012 est.) -$7.726 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$8.818 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $8.196 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Despite modest economic growth and reform prior to the outbreak of unrest, Syria's economy continues to suffer the effects of the ongoing conflict that began in 2011. The economy further contracted in 2012 because of international sanctions and reduced domestic consumption and production. The government has struggled to address the effects of economic decline, including dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, and the decreasing value of the Syrian pound. Prior to the unrest, Damascus began liberalizing economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange. The economy remains highly regulated by the government. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution.

Exchange rates

Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 63.94 (2012 est.) 48.371 (2011 est.) 11.225 (2010 est.) 46.708 (2009) 46.5281 (2008)

Exports

$4.981 billion (2012 est.) $10.29 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat

Exports - partners

Iraq 38.8%, Italy 7.9%, Germany 7.1%, Saudi Arabia 6.5%, Kuwait 4.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

18.1% 25.3% 56.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

18.1%

industry

25.3%

services

56.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,100 (2011 est.) $5,100 (2010 est.) $5,200 (2009 est.) data are in 2011 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

NA (2012 est.) -2.3% (2011 est.) 3.4% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$64.7 billion (2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$107.6 billion (2011 est.) $110.1 billion (2010 est.) $106.5 billion (2009 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$10.01 billion (2012 est.) $17.6 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 14.8%, China 10.3%, UAE 7.3%, Turkey 6.8%, Iran 5.4%, Italy 5.1%, Russia 4.6%, Iraq 4.4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

33.7% (2012 est.) 4.8% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

5.54 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

17% 16% 67% (2008 est.)

agriculture

17%

industry

16%

services

67% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

11.9% (2006 est.)

Public debt

44% of GDP (2012 est.) 35.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.774 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $14.83 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$30.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $39.36 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$20.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $27.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$18.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $22.37 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

10.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

18% (2012 est.) 14.9% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

63.1 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

144,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

333,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.183 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

28.87 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

84.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

15.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

8.2 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

40.86 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

9.63 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

690 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

8.94 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

258,800 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

14,540 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

58,160 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

255,600 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run TV and radio broadcast networks; state operates 2 TV networks and a satellite channel; roughly two-thirds of Syrian homes have a satellite dish providing access to foreign TV broadcasts; 3 state-run radio channels; first private radio station launched in 2005; private radio broadcasters prohibited from transmitting news or political content (2007)

Internet country code

.sy

Internet hosts

416 (2012)

Internet users

4.469 million (2009)

Telephone system

fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology and expansion of the network to rural areas; the armed insurgency that began in 2011 has led to major disruptions to the network and has caused telephone and Internet outages throughout the country the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership nearly 60 per 100 persons in 2011 country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel

domestic

the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership nearly 60 per 100 persons in 2011

general assessment

fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology and expansion of the network to rural areas; the armed insurgency that began in 2011 has led to major disruptions to the network and has caused telephone and Internet outages throughout the country

international

country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel

Telephones - main lines in use

4.345 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

13.117 million (2011)

Airports

99 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

5 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

16

914 to 1,523 m

3

over 3,047 m

5

total

29

under 914 m

5 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

55 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

14

total

70

under 914 m

55 (2012)

Heliports

6 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 14, carrier 1 166 (Barbados 1, Belize 4, Bolivia 4, Cambodia 22, Comoros 5, Dominica 4, Georgia 24, Lebanon 2, Liberia 1, Malta 4, Moldova 5, North Korea 4, Panama 34, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Sierra Leone 13, Tanzania 23, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

166 (Barbados 1, Belize 4, Bolivia 4, Cambodia 22, Comoros 5, Dominica 4, Georgia 24, Lebanon 2, Liberia 1, Malta 4, Moldova 5, North Korea 4, Panama 34, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Sierra Leone 13, Tanzania 23, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)

total

19

Pipelines

gas 3,161 km; oil 1,997 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus

Railways

2,052 km 1,801 km 1.435-m gauge 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)

total

2,052 km

Roadways

68,157 km 61,514 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways) 6,643 km (2006)

total

68,157 km

unpaved

6,643 km (2006)

Waterways

900 km (navigable but not economically significant) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

5,889,837 5,660,751 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

5,660,751 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,889,837

Manpower fit for military service

5,055,510 4,884,151 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,884,151 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,055,510

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

256,698 244,712 (2010 est.)

female

244,712 (2010 est.)

male

256,698

Military branches

Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008)

Syrian Armed Forces

Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008)

Military expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory male military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months; women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve; re-enlistment obligation 5 years, with retirement after 15 years or age 40 (enlisted) or 20 years or age 45 (NCOs) (2010)

Disputes - international

Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force patrolling a buffer zone since 1964; lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms in the Golan Heights; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan

Illicit drugs

a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering

Refugees and internally displaced persons

101,244 (Iraq); 486,946 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) more than 2 million (2011-2012 civil war) (2012)

IDPs

more than 2 million (2011-2012 civil war) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

101,244 (Iraq); 486,946 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA))

Trafficking in persons

Syria is principally a destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking; women from Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, and Ethiopia are recruited by employment agencies to work in Syria as domestic servants, but are subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labor; some economically desperate Syrian children are subjected to conditions of forced labor within the country, particularly by organized street begging rings; some Syrian women in Lebanon may be forced to engage in street prostitution and small numbers of Syrian girls are reportedly brought to Lebanon for the purpose of prostitution Tier 2 Watch List - the government made modest anti-trafficking efforts, however, it did not demonstrate evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and punish trafficking offenses, inform the public about the practice of human trafficking, or provide much-needed anti-trafficking training to law enforcement and social welfare officials (2008)

current situation

Syria is principally a destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking; women from Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, and Ethiopia are recruited by employment agencies to work in Syria as domestic servants, but are subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labor; some economically desperate Syrian children are subjected to conditions of forced labor within the country, particularly by organized street begging rings; some Syrian women in Lebanon may be forced to engage in street prostitution and small numbers of Syrian girls are reportedly brought to Lebanon for the purpose of prostitution

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the government made modest anti-trafficking efforts, however, it did not demonstrate evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and punish trafficking offenses, inform the public about the practice of human trafficking, or provide much-needed anti-trafficking training to law enforcement and social welfare officials (2008)