Middle East :: Syria

EXPAND ALL COLLAPSE ALL

## Introduction ::Syria

Background:
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 Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005.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 70,000.

## Geography ::Syria

Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
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:
slightly larger than North Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,253 km border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:
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:
primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 24.9% permanent crops: 5.69% other: 69.41% (2011)
Irrigated land:
13,410 sq km (2010)
Total renewable water resources:
16.8 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 16.76 cu km/yr (9%/4%/88%) per capita: 867.4 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
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:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water
Environment - international agreements:
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:
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 ::Syria

Nationality:
noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Languages:
Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian (widely understood); French, English (somewhat understood)
Religions:
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:
22,457,336 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 note: approximately 18,700 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2011)
Age structure:
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:
Median age:
total: 22.7 years male: 22.5 years female: 22.9 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.15% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Birth rate:
23.01 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Death rate:
3.67 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Net migration rate:
-17.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
Urbanization:
urban population: 56.1% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 2.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Aleppo 2.985 million; DAMASCUS (capital) 2.527 million; Hims 1.276 million; Hamah 854,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
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:
70 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 88
Infant mortality rate:
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:
total population: 75.14 years country comparison to the world: 97 male: 72.74 years female: 77.69 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.77 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
58.3% (2006)
Health expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 178
Physicians density:
1.5 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
1.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 93% of population rural: 86% of population total: 90% of population unimproved: urban: 7% of population rural: 14% of population total: 10% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 93% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 7% of population total: 5% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
27.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 41
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
10.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 69
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 73
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.6% male: 86% female: 73.6% (2004 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2007)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
total number: 192,915 percentage: 4 % (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 19.2% country comparison to the world: 62 male: 15.3% female: 40.2% (2010)

## Government ::Syria

Country name:
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:
republic under an authoritarian regime
Capital:
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:
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:
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 April (1946)
Constitution:
13 March 1973; amended February 2012
Legal system:
mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 21 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy head of government: Prime Minister Wael al-HALQI (since 9 August 2012) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - new Council appointed on 14 April 2011 (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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:
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:
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:
legal parties: National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD] Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr al-DIN] Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan al-QUDSI] Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL] Syrian Social Nationalist Party [As'ad HARDAN] Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL]) Kurdish parties (considered illegal): Kurdish Azadi Party Kurdish Democratic Accord Party (al Wifaq) Kurdish Democratic Party (al Parti-Ibrahim wing) Kurdish Democratic Party (al Parti-Mustafa wing) Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria or KDP-S Kurdish Democratic Patriotic/National Party Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party or KDPP-Darwish Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party or KDPP-Muhammad Kurdish Democratic Union Party or PYD [Salih Muslim MOHAMMAD] Kurdish Democratic Unity Party Kurdish Democratic Yekiti Party Kurdish Future Party or KFP Kurdish Future Party [Rezan HASSAN] Kurdish Left Party Kurdish Yekiti (Union) Party Syrian Kurdish Democratic Party other parties: Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Free Syrian Army National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Oppositon Forces or Syrian Oppositon Coalition [Mu'aaz al-KHATIB] (operates in exile in Cairo) Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Muhammad Riyad al-SHAQFAH] (operates in exile in London) note: there are also hundreds of local groups that organize protests and stage armed attacks
International organization participation:
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:
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:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. FORD; 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:
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):
hawk
National anthem:
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 ::Syria

Economy - overview:
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):
$107.6 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $110.1 billion (2010 est.) $113.9 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2011 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$64.7 billion (2011 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA% (2012 est.) -2.3% (2011 est.) 3.4% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,100 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $5,100 (2010 est.) $5,300 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2011 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 16.5% industry: 22.8% services: 60.7% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
5.327 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 17% industry: 16% services: 67% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
18% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 14.9% (2011 est.)
Population below poverty line:
11.9% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
20.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Budget:
revenues: $5.222 billion expenditures: $12.59 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
8.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 212
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-11.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Public debt:
52.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 35.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
37% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 4.8% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 5% (31 December 2011 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.7% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 10.5% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$18.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $22.37 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$30.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $39.36 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$18.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $27.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk
Industries:
petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly
Industrial production growth rate:
-36% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Current account balance:
-$5.103 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 -$7.726 billion (2011 est.)
Exports:
$3.876 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $10.29 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat
Exports - partners:
Iraq 55.9%, Saudi Arabia 9.3%, Kuwait 6.1%, UAE 5.3%, Lebanon 4.2% (2012)
Imports:
$10.78 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $17.6 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 21.2%, UAE 10.4%, Iran 7.7%, China 7%, Iraq 6.3%, Ukraine 6.3%, Egypt 4.3% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.774 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $14.83 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$8.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $8.196 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Exchange rates:
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 64.3919 (2012 est.) 48.371 (2011 est.) 11.225 (2010 est.) 46.708 (2009) 46.5281 (2008)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

## Energy ::Syria

Electricity - production:
40.86 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - consumption:
28.87 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8.2 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
84.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
15.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Crude oil - production:
333,900 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Crude oil - exports:
144,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Crude oil - proved reserves:
2.183 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Refined petroleum products - production:
255,600 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
258,800 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Refined petroleum products - exports:
14,540 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Refined petroleum products - imports:
58,160 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - production:
8.94 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - consumption:
9.63 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - imports:
690 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - proved reserves:
240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
63.1 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

## Communications ::Syria

Telephones - main lines in use:
4.345 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 37
Telephones - mobile cellular:
13.117 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 59
Telephone system:
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:
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:
.sy
Internet hosts:
416 (2012) country comparison to the world: 188
Internet users:
4.469 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 52

## Transportation ::Syria

Airports:
99 (2012) country comparison to the world: 58
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 29 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 70 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 55 (2012)
Heliports:
6 (2012)
Pipelines:
gas 3,170 km; oil 2,029 km (2013)
Railways:
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:
total: 68,157 km country comparison to the world: 67 paved: 61,514 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,643 km (2006)
Waterways:
900 km (navigable but not economically significant) (2011) country comparison to the world: 69
Merchant marine:
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:
Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus

## Military ::Syria

Military branches:
Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
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:
males age 16-49: 5,889,837 females age 16-49: 5,660,751 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,055,510 females age 16-49: 4,884,151 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 256,698 female: 244,712 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.6% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 31

## Transnational Issues ::Syria

Disputes - international:
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:
refugees (country of origin): 486,946 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)); 87,741 (Iraq) IDPs: more than 2 million (ongoing civil war since 2011) (2012)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Prior to the ongoing political uprising and violent unrest, Syria was principally a destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking; women from Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, and Ethiopia were recruited by employment agencies to work in Syria as domestic servants, but are subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labor; some economically desperate Syrian children are subjected to conditions of forced labor within the country, particularly by organized street begging rings; undocumented Filipina domestic workers continue to be sent to Syria; the daughters of some Iraqi refugees are reportedly contracted to work as maids but made to be prostitutes or forced laborers; some Syrian women in Lebanon may be forced to engage in street prostitution and small numbers of Syrian girls are reportedly brought to Lebanon for the purpose of prostitution 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 did not demonstrate evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and punish trafficking offenses provide protective services to victims, widely inform the public about human trafficking, or provice much-needed anti-trafficking training to law enforcement and social welfare officials (2012)
Illicit drugs:
a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering

EXPAND ALL COLLAPSE ALL