Terrain
Primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
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
People
Nationality: Syrian
Population: 22,457,336
Language: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian (widely understood); French, English (somewhat understood)
Religions
Islam (Shi'ah, 54 percent; Sunni, 41 percent); Christianity; Judaism
Religious Tensions & Pres. Assad (1:04)
Economy
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.
THE IMPACT OF CIVIL WAR ON OIL EXPORTS (1:33)
Living Conditions
Syria is not a wealthy country; most people have a mediocre standard of living at best. City dwellers live in apartments. Those who are wealthy enough build villas or large vacation homes in the mountains or on the sea coast. Villagers live in small, one-to three-room houses with a small courtyard.
Government
Syrian Arab Republic
US Military Presence/Support
Since 2011, civil war has claimed 146,000+ lives with the U.S. contributing $2.9 billion in humanitarian assistance. ISIS terrorists have further undermined stability by forcibly taking over large territories in both Iraq and Syria and committing numerous human rights atrocities. In Sept. 2014, the U.S. and partner nations began conducting air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria, training and equipping the Syrian rebels and working to cut off financing to the ISIS terrorists.
Humanitarian Aid to Civil War Victims & Refugees (late 2013-early 2014) (1:43)