As-Suwayda Governorate

Al-Suwayda Governorate
مُحافظة السويداء
Governorate

Map of Syria with al-Suwayda Governorate highlighted
Coordinates (Al-Suwayda): 32°48′N 36°48′E / 32.8°N 36.8°E / 32.8; 36.8Coordinates: 32°48′N 36°48′E / 32.8°N 36.8°E / 32.8; 36.8
Country  Syria
Capital Al-Suwayda
Manatiq (Districts) 3
Area
 • Total 5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 770,000
 • Density 140/km2 (360/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
ISO 3166 code SY-SU
Main language(s) Arabic

Al-Suwayda Governorate (Arabic: السويداء‎ / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat as-Suwaydā’) is the southernmost of Syria's 14 governorates. It has an area of 5,550 km² and forms part of the historic Hawran region. Its capital and major city is al-Suwayda. A large majority of the population are Druze.

Geographically the governorate comprises almost all of Jabal al-Druze, the eastern part of Lejah, and a part of the arid eastern steppe of Harrat al-Shamah.

Demographics and population

The governorate has a population of about 770,000 inhabitants (est. 2011).[1] It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority.[2] There is also a sizable Eastern Orthodox minority, and a small Muslim refugee community from mainly Daraa Governorate as well as other parts of Syria.[3]

In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.[4]

Most of the inhabitants live in the western parts of the governorate, especially on the western slopes of Jabal ad-Duruz. Only nomadic Bedouin tribes live in the barren region of Harrat al-Shamah.

Divisions

The governorate is divided into 3 districts (manatiq):

These are further divided into 9 sub-districts (nawahi).

Cities, towns and villages

The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 villages, and 36 hamlets.[1]

Cities

Villages

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Statistics from http://www.cbssyr.org/aindex.htm
  2. ↑ Country Data Page on Syria
  3. ↑ Shahba provides refuge for displaced Syrians. 28 September 2012.
  4. ↑ Pipes, Daniel (1990). Greater Syria: The History of an Ambition. Oxford University Press. p. 151.
 Rif Dimashq Governorate
Daraa Governorate
  Al-Suwayda Governorate  
JordanMafraq Governorate
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