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Location & Area :36

Syria is located on eastern coast of the Mediterranean. It is bordered to the north by Turkey, to the east by Iraq, to the south by Palestine and Jordan, to the west by Lebanon and the Mediterranean. ‏

The Total area of Syria is 18,517-971 hectares, out of which 8 million hectares are cultivable. The remainder is mountains and desert suitable for grass cultivation for use as pastures in case of adequate rainfall. ‏

Climate :36

The prevailing climate is that of the Mediterranean : rainy in winter, and dry in summer, with two relatively short transitional seasons. ‏

Population & Administrative Divisions:36

The population of Syria is over 16 million, three millions of whom reside in the capital, Damascus. ‏

Syria is divided into 14 governorates (Mohafaza). Each mohafaza is divided into several districts (Mantika), and each district is divided into several counties (Nahiya). Each Nahiya comprises several villages. ‏

In Syria, there are two main ports on the Mediterranean : Lattakia and Tartous. There is also an oil terminal, namely Banias. ‏

 

System of Government :36

Syrian Arab Republic - a democratic, popular, socialist state. It is part of the Arab nation as stipulated in its Constitution of 1973, which states also that the there authorities are : ‏

1 - Legislative Authority ‏

2 - Executive Authority ‏

3 - Judicial Authority ‏

Legislative Authority is entrusted to the People's Assembly formed by general secret, direct and equal ballot. The Assembly's term is four years. ‏

The regime is presidential republican. The President is at the head of the Executive Authority. He is elected by popular plebiscite for a seven year term, after being nominated by the People's Assembly at the suggestion of the Regional Leadership of the Ba`ath Arab Socialist Party. The President designates the cabinet and the premier. ‏

The Judiciary is independent. The Supreme Constitutional Court decides the constitutionality of laws. ‏

The local people's councils are for local administration. they consist of popular establishments elected directly, through which the citizens exercise their role in taking part in non-centralized local self-administration. ‏

Political Leadership:36

The structure of the political leadership in Syria is embodied by the National Progressive Leadership formed in March 1974 from national progressive forces and parties in Syria to constitute the framework for a unified political organization . ‏

Under Article 8 of the Constitution, the Ba`ath Arab Socialist Party is leading party in the state and society. It leads a national progressive Front that works for uniting the potentials of the Arab masses and placing them at the service of the objectives of the Arab nation. ‏

The Party`s leadership of the Front is embodied by its being represented by majority in the Front`s establishment. Hence, the Chairman of the Front is the Secretary-general of the Ba`ath Arab Socialist Party, and he is the President of the Republic. ‏

The Front decides on matters of war and peace. It approves the five-year plans of the state, discusses the economic policy, and lays down the plans of National Socialist Education, and leads the general political orientation

Populations:36

Syria, with a population of 17 million, has one of the world’s fastest population growth rates. Almost half of all Syrian are under the age of fifteen. Syrians are well-educated by Middle Eastern standards, and great strides have been made in reducing illiteracy, especially in urban areas and among males. Over 50% of the population live in cities and urban migration has been rapid in recent years. ‏

Arabic in the first language of 85 to 90 percent of the population. As for foreign languages, the older generation often speaks some French, while English is widely understood among the younger and middle-aged groups. ‏

Around 25% of Syria's total population are estimated to be economically active, creating a labor force of 3.75 million people in 1996. Fifty percent of the total workforce is employed in urban areas. Only 11% of the urban workforce are women, compared to around 22% in Syria's smaller towns and villages.‏

Last update Dec 13, 2003                            Feedback