| Country |
Syria |
|
| Region |
Middle East |
| Area (sq km) |
185,180 |
| Area (sq mile) |
71,498 |
| Border |
Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey |
| Population |
20,178,485 |
| Nationality |
Syrian(s) |
| Ethnic |
Arab 90.3%, Kurd, Armenian, other 9.7% |
| Religion |
Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (Alawitze, Druze)( 16%, and other Muslim sects, Christian 10%, a few Jewish communities |
| Language |
Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, English |
| Literacy |
80% |
| Government |
Republic under authoritarian military-dominated regime |
| Capital |
Damascus |
| Leader |
President Bashar al-Asad (since July 17, 2000); Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri (since September 10, 2003) |
| Currency |
Syrian pound (SYP) |
| Independence Day |
April 17, 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) |
| National Holiday |
Independence Day (April 17, 1946) |
|
