Syria at a Glance

Country: Syrian Arab Republic
Government:  Republic under an authoritarian regime
Population: 22.5 million
Area: 115,065 miles² (185,180 km²); slightly larger than North Dakota
Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west
Major language(s): Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian
Major religion(s): Sunni Muslim (74%), other Muslim (16%), Christian (10%)
Capital & population: Damascus; 2.6 million
Monetary unit:SYP (Syrian pound)