Syria
Location: Middle East, bordered by Lebanon and Israel on the
West, Turkey on the North, Iraq on the East, Jordan on the South
Area: 71,498 square miles
Population: 13,300,000
Government: Socialist Republic under one-party rule
Largest cities: Damascus (capital), Aleppo, Homs, Hama
Languages: Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian, French, English
Ethnic groups: Arabs 90%, Kurd, Armenian, Turkish, Circassian,
Assyrian
Religions: Muslim, Christian
Chief industries: Agriculture, herding, manufacturing
Chief crops: Cotton, grains, fruits, sugar beets
Minerals: Oil, phosphate, chrome, manganese
Leading exports: Oil, textiles, phosphate
Leading imports: Machinery, fuel, foodstuffs
Monetary unit: Pound