Syria

Syria Etymology and History

Syria got its name derived from the Greek word Syrian that is distinctively used by the Greeks to various Assyrian people. Many modern scholars found out the fact that the word Assyrian is further derived from Akkadian Assur. Syria is situated at the eastern end.

Syria Demography

A large number of people in Syria live along the coastal plains of Euphrates river valley, which is a very fertile strip land between the desert and coastal mountains. The majority of the people who are residing in Syria are of Iraq but a good amount of population is of the former Somalia and Palestine.

Ethnicity – at present time Syrians are the original Levantine people. Nowadays Syrians are categorized as Arab people. Apart from Syrians who are Arabized Syria has non- Arab population as well:

Kurds
Turks
Assyrians syriacs
Armenians

Religion – Syrian population comprises of 90% Muslims and 10% of the Christians. 74% of the Muslim population in Syria is Sunni whereas rest is divided in small communities.
Language – the language which is officially accepted and which is spoken widely among the people of Syria is Arabic.

Syria Government and politics

The governmental scenario is divided into many parts. The whole of Syria is divided in fourteen governates, which is known as Muhafazat, which is further divided into 60 districts known as to be manatiq. These Manatiqs are further partitioned into sub districts, which are known as Nawahi. Governors head the governates who is recruited by Minister and approved by the cabinet.

Syria Culture

Culture of Syria is estimated to be very rich. The findings of extensive writing by the archaeologists are an evidence of it. Syria holds a long cultural history. Marriage ceremonies and on the birth of the child the folk custom of the culture is clearly visible.

Damascus is the city where old buildings are preserved which shows the culture followed in the earlier times all the things seem so static. The local residents reside in clustered smaller villages. Syrians are greatly indulges in the literature and music. Many of the great poetries are a gift to the Arabic literature by the Syrian people.

Handicrafts industry at Syria is world-renowned and it employs a large number of people and provides them a mean to earn their livelihood.
Food in Syria has the look-alike of the Mediterranean, Greek and Southwest Asian dishes. Many meat dishes are largely famous among the Syrian people.

Syria Education

Syria follows the old French education system. The primary education is free to all the students at primary level but it is obligatory up to grade 9th.
The schooling system is divided into three parts:

1st-6th grade- basic education level –1
7th – 9th grade- basic education level- 2
10th-12th grade- secondary education

The ninth and twelfth class exams are carried out in a definite period throughout the country.
Colleges in Syria follow the French model of higher education. Since 1967 all the Syrian colleges and schools are brought in under the close supervision of the government.

Syria Economy and Infrastructure

Syria is a developing country with a middle-income economy. The middle economy of Syria largely depends on the agricultural, tourism, oil and industry. The growth rate of GDP of Syria in the year 2005 was found out to be 2.9%. Syria has been producing heavy grade oil from its oil fields, which are located in the northeast. The high subsidies charges on diesel have made the gap widen between production and consumption. Syria on an average day produces 22 million cubic meter gas. Syria tried to make ties with international countries with an intention to be the gas exporter but within the same time all the gas was consumed within the country.

Syria Geographical setting

The northeast part of the country with cities along the Mediterranean is green in comparison to the rest of the parts of the country, which comprises of arid plateau. Euphrates is the most famous river, which flows through the country. The major cities of Syria are Damascus, Aleppo and Homs.