Syria

 Syria

Type of government: Republic under Authoritarian Regime

Current head of state: President Bashar al-Assad

Total population: 22,517,750

% of population living in poverty: % 11.9

GDP: $59.63 billion

Capital: Damascus

Largest city: Damascus

Coasts: 193 km

Major bodies of water: Lake al-Assad

Major rivers: Euphrates and Tigris Rivers

Bordering countries: Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, and Iraq

Largest religion: Christian

Climate: Hot, dry, sunny summers, and mild cold winters. Sometimes snow and sleet in Damascus.

 Temple Ruins at Palmyra

Selected current event in Syria:

“Syrian security forces opened fire to disperse thousands of protesters Friday, killing at least 10 people, witnesses said, as anger at the autocratic rule of Bashar al-Assad erupted again after weekly Friday prayers at mosques. Syrian security forces opened fire to disperse thousands of protesters Friday, killing at least 10 people, witnesses said, as anger at the autocratic rule of Bashar al-Assad erupted again after weekly Friday prayers at mosques.”
--msn.com