|RNature and climate:|N In the west, towards the Mediterranean a mountainous area crossed by several valleys and in the east a desert-like plateauland crossed by temporary rivers, so called wadies.
The highest peak, the Hermon mountain, at the border to Lebanon, reaches 2814 m.a.s.l. Most of the land is covered by gravel and stone half deserts.
In the west Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Average temperature in January 12°C and in July 27°C. Percipitation between 750 and 1250 mm.
The interior has desert-climate with little percipitation and big differences in temperature, both between days and nights and between the seasons. Average temperature in January +6°C, but frost is common and snow appears. Average temperature in July 30°C.
|RPeople:|N 90% Arabs, 5% Kurds.
|REconomy:|N 36% of the labour force is occupied in different services, 32% in agriculture and 32% in industry and trade.
Syria have oil, phosphate, chromium, manganese, iron ore and asphalt.
When extraction of oil started in 1968 economy improved and with the money from the oil other industries have been developed.
Textile manufacturing, food-processing and cementfactories are the most important. Oil gives 40% of the export revenues and textiles 30%. Fruits, vegetables and phosphate are also exported.
Through Syria runs several pip-lines for oil from Iraq and Saudi Arabia to harbours in the Mediterranean Sea.
|RHistory:|N Syria is located in an area where nomadic Stone Age people first settled as farmers and was an early centre off civilization. There are rich finds from pre-historic times.
About 1500 BC Syria was conquered by Egypt and later by Hebrews, Phoenicians and Greeks. In the 4th century BC it belonged to Alexander the Great and after that it became an independent country and was the centre of Seleukid-realm that consisted of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, vast areas of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Jordan.
63 BC this realm was conquered by the Romans and when the Roman Empire was divided in the 4th century AD, Syria became a part of the Byzantine Empire. During the Roman and Byzantine era Syria was an important Christian centre, but became one of the first areas won by Islam when it spread over the Arabian peninsula. Islamic rule was established 636 AD and between 661 and 751 the capital Damascus was the residence for the Caliphate, the highest authority of ISlam.
In the 10th century Syria became an independent country, but in the 11th century it was conquered by the crusaders.
In 1260 it became a part of the Mamluk Empire of Egypt and was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1516. It remained a Turkish province until after World War I when it was divided in two mandate areas, one British under the name Palestine, which after World War II was divided in Israel and Jordan, and one French area, which after World War II was divided in Lebanon and Syria. Syria became an independent country in 1945.
Three times Syria has been at war with Israel, 1948 to -49, 1967 and 1973.
In 1958 Syria, Yemen and Egypt joined in the United Arab republic which was dissolved in 1961.
Syria has been an active supporter of the PLO and many of its terroristic parts.
During the civil war in Lebanon Syria has tried to contribute to a peaceful solution by sending troops.
In 1990 to -91 Syria participated with troops in the UN-action to liberate Kuwait from the Iraq invaders.
