Syria
Following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, France administered Syria until its independence in 1946. The 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 Alawite 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 Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005.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.
Languages & Population
Approximate Population: 19,314,747
Nationality (Noun): Syrian(s)
Nationality (Adjective): Syrian
Official Language(s): Arabic
Major Languages Spoken: Aramaic, Armenian, English, French, Kurdish
Country Facts
Country Name (long form): Syrian Arab Republic
Country Name (short form): Syria
Country Name (local long form): Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
Country Name (local short form): Suriyah
Name of Capital: Damascus
UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Countries Near by, and Bordering Syria: Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus
Land Area: 184050 sq km
Water Area: 1130 sq km
Comparative Area: slightly larger than North Dakota
Total Land Boundry: 2,253 km
Coastline: 193 km
National Holiday: Independence Day, 17 April (1946)
International Phone Code: 963
Currency Code: Syrian pound (SYP)
Internet Country Code: .sy
US Embassy Location: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus
US Embassy Mailing Address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus
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