Latakia Governorate

Latakia Governorate
مُحافظة اللاذقية
Governorate

Map of Syria with Latakia highlighted
Coordinates (Latakia): 35°36′N 36°00′E / 35.6°N 36°ECoordinates: 35°36′N 36°00′E / 35.6°N 36°E
Country  Syria
Capital Latakia
Manatiq (Districts) 4
Area
  Total 2,297 km2 (887 sq mi)
  Estimates range between 2,297 km² and 2,437 km²
Population (2014)
  Total 1,890,000
  Density 820/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
ISO 3166 code SY-LA
Main language(s) Arabic

Latakia Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة اللاذقية / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat al-Lādhiqīyah) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in western Syria, bordering Turkey. Its reported area varies in different sources from 2,297 km²[1] to 2,437 km².[2] The Governorate has a population of 991,000 (2010 estimate) and is one of the few governorates in Syria that has an Alawite majority.[3] The capital is Latakia.

History

The governorate was historically part of the Alawite State, which existed from 1920–1936. The city of Latakia was the capital of the state.

The region has been relatively peaceful during the Syrian civil war that started in 2011 to overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Assad, aside from a small but persistent rebel presence in the northeast of the province centred on Salma.

Districts

The governorate is divided into four districts (manatiq):

These are further divided into boroughs (nawahi).

Geography

Latakia is traversed (twice) by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude.

References