Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005.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 100,000.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 185,180 sq km
country comparison to the world: 89
land: 183,630 sq km
water: 1,550 sq km
note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than North Dakota
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,253 km
border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
193 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 24.9%
permanent crops: 5.69%
other: 69.41% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13,410 sq km (2010)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.8 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16.76 cu km/yr (9%/4%/88%)
per capita: 867.4 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dust storms, sandstorms
volcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Syrian(s)
adjective: Syrian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian (widely understood); French, English (somewhat understood)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sunni Muslim (Islam - official) 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22,457,336 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
note: approximately 18,900 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2012)
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 33.9% (male 3,900,073/female 3,707,117)
15-24 years: 20.8% (male 2,387,006/female 2,285,496)
25-54 years: 36.9% (male 4,214,621/female 4,075,181)
55-64 years: 4.6% (male 504,422/female 517,413)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 395,806/female 470,201) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 64.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 57.7 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 %
potential support ratio: 15 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 22.7 years
male: 22.5 years
female: 22.9 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.15% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.01 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.67 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-17.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 56.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Aleppo 2.985 million; DAMASCUS (capital) 2.527 million; Hims 1.276 million; Hamah 854,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
70 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 88
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 114
male: 16.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 75.14 years
country comparison to the world: 97
male: 72.74 years
female: 77.69 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.77 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58.3% (2006)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 172
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.1% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 69
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 73
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 84.1%
male: 90.3%
female: 77.7% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2007)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 192,915
percentage: 4 % (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19.2%
country comparison to the world: 63
male: 15.3%
female: 40.2% (2010)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic under an authoritarian regime
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Damascus
geographic coordinates: 33 30 N, 36 18 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins midnight on the last Friday in March; ends at midnight on the first Friday in November
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest issued 15 February 2012, passed by referendum 26 February 2012 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 21 February 2006); Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Wael al-HALQI (since 9 August 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers Fahd Jasim al-FURAYJ, Lt. Gen., Walid al-MUALEM
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - new Council appointed on 14 April 2011
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
election results: Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%, other 2.4%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral People's Assembly or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 May 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Cassation (organized into civil, criminal, religious, and military divisions, each with 3 judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 4 members)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC, a judicial management body headed by the minister of justice with 7 members including the national president; judge tenure NA; Supreme Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the SJC; judges appointed for 4-year renewable terms
subordinate courts: courts of first instance; magistrates' courts; religious and military courts; Economic Security Court
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
legal parties:
Kurdish parties (considered illegal):
other parties: Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Free Syrian Army
note: there are also hundreds of local groups that organize protests and stage armed attacks
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mounir KOUDMANI
chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4585
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert Stephen FORD (since 7 January 2011); note - on 6 February 2012, the US closed its embassy in Damascus
embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus
mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone: [963] (11) 3391-4444
FAX: [963] (11) 3391-3999
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
note: 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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hawk
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland)
lyrics/music: Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL
note: 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
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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, and inflation has risen sharply. The government has struggled to address the effects of economic decline, which include 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$107.6 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$64.7 billion (2011 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5,100 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 69.4%
government consumption: 17.2%
investment in fixed capital: 20.6%
investment in inventories: 8.4%
exports of goods and services: 13.9%
imports of goods and services: -29.4%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 16.5%
industry: 22.8%
services: 60.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-32.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.327 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 17%
industry: 16%
services: 67% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.9% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $5.217 billion
expenditures: $12.59 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-11.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.75% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$16.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$30.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-6.706 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.876 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Iraq 58.4%, Saudi Arabia 9.7%, Kuwait 6.4%, UAE 5.5%, Libya 4.1% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10.78 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Saudi Arabia 22.8%, UAE 11.2%, Iran 8.3%, China 7.3%, Iraq 6.8% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.793 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.394 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
43.76 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35.61 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.043 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.323 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
89.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
182,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
152,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 33
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
253,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
258,800 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36,210 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
104,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.87 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.63 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
250 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 45
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
63.14 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.425 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 36
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.928 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 66
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
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
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 (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.sy
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
416 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 187
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.469 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 52
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
90 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 62
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 61
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 3,170 km; oil 2,029 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,052 km
country comparison to the world: 72
standard gauge: 1,801 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 69,873 km
country comparison to the world: 68
paved: 63,060 km
unpaved: 6,813 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
900 km (navigable but not economically significant) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 69
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19
country comparison to the world: 95
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 14, carrier 1
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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Syrian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (includes Air Defense Forces) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 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) (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 5,889,837
females age 16-49: 5,660,751 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 5,055,510
females age 16-49: 4,884,151 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 256,698
female: 244,712 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 87,741 (Iraq) (2012); 499,189 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2013)
IDPs: 6.5 million (ongoing civil war since 2011) (2013)
stateless persons: 221,000 (2012); note - Syria's stateless population is composed of Kurds and Palestinians; stateless persons are prevented from voting, owning land, holding certain jobs, receiving food subsidies or public healthcare, enrolling in public schools, or being legally married to Syrian citizens; in 1962, some 120,000 Syrian Kurds were stripped of their Syrian citizenship, rendering them and their descendants stateless; in 2011, the Syrian Government granted citizenship to thousands of Syrian Kurds as a means of appeasement; however, resolving the question of statelessness is not a priority given Syria's ongoing civil war
Trafficking in persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
current situation: due to Syria's political uprising and violent unrest, hundreds of thousands of Syrians, foreign migrant workers, and refugees have fled the country and are vulnerable to human trafficking; the lack of security and inaccessibility of the majority of the country makes it impossible to conduct a thorough analysis of the ongoing conflict and the scope and magnitude of Syria's human trafficking situation; prior to the uprising, Syria was principally a destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking; thousands of women - the majority from Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, and Ethiopia - were recruited to work as domestic servants but were subsequently subjected to forced labor; Filipina domestic workers continue to be sent to Syria and are vulnerable to forced labor; the Syrian armed forces and opposition forces are using Syrian children in combat and support roles and as human shields; Iraqi women and girls continue to be sexually exploited, and Syrian children still face conditions of forced labor
tier rating: Tier 3 - the government does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not demonstrate evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and punish trafficking offenses, provide protective services to victims, inform the public about human trafficking, or provide much-needed anti-trafficking training to law enforcement and social welfare officials; the government does not refer any victims to NGO-operated shelters and has failed to institute procedures for the identification, interview, and referral of trafficking victims; the status of the national plan of action against trafficking is unknown (2013)