Syria country profile

Once the centre of the Islamic Empire, Syria covers an area that has seen invasions and occupations over the ages, from Romans and Mongols to Crusaders and Turks.

A country of fertile plains, mountains and deserts, it is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite Shias and Arab Sunnis, the last of who make up a majority of the Muslim population.

Modern Syria gained its independence from France in 1946

Untied Arab Republic 1958

Overview

Overview
Facts
Leaders
Media

Economy: The government has made reform of its under-performing, state-run economy a top priority

Facts

Full name: The Syrian Arab Republic
Population: 22.5 million (UN, 2010)
Capital: Damascus
Area: 185,180 sq km (71,498 sq miles)
Major language: Arabic
Major religions: Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy: 73 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Syrian pound = 100 piastres
Main exports: Oil, gas
GNI per capita: US $2,410 (World Bank, 2009)
Internet domain: .sy
International dialling code: +963

Leaders

President: Bashar al-Assad

Bashar al-Assad was born in 1965, the third of President Hafez al-Assad's children. He studied in Damascus and London. Shy and private, he was brought up outside the political spotlight, seemingly destined for a quiet life.

President Bashar al-Assad with his wife Asma

Media

Syrian men walking past a newspaper stand

The press

Al-Baath - paper of ruling Baath party
Al-Thawra ("The Revolution") - government-owned daily
Tishrin - government-owned daily
Syria Today - English-language monthly

Television

Syrian TV - state-run, operates two domestic networks and a satellite channel, broadcasting in Arabic, English and French
Al-Dunya TV - private

Radio

Syrian Arab Republic Radio - state-run
Al-Madina FM - first private radio station, launched in March 2005

News agency

Syrian Arab News Agency (Sana) - state-run, in Arabic, English and French

AT-A-GLANCE