As-Suwayda Governorate
Governorate in Syria
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; 36.8 | |
| Country |  Syria |
| Capital | Al-Suwayda |
| Manatiq (Districts) | 3 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Bassam Mamdouh Parsik[2] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 375,000[1] |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | SY-SU |
| Main language(s) | Arabic |
As-Suwayda or Al-Suwayda Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة السويداء / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat as-Suwaydā’) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is the southernmost governorate and has an area of 5,550 km² and forms part of the historic Hawran region. Its capital and major city is al-Suwayda.
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.
Most of As-Suwayda inhabitants work in agriculture, planting grapes, apple, olive, and wheat in general. In addition, there are four clearly demarcated seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall) which gives As-Suwayda nice weather and beautiful natural sites. As-Suwayda contains many archaeological sites.
Demographics and population
| Religious composition of Suweida Governorate (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Druze | 90% | |||
| Christians | 7% | |||
| Sunni Muslims | 3% | |||
The governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants (est. 2011).[3] It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority.[4] 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.[5]
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.[6] In 2010, the As-Suwayda governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants, Druze made up 90%, Christians 7% and Sunni Muslims 3%.[1] Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.[1]
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.
Districts
Shahba
Salkhad
Al-SuwaydaThe governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi):
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Cities, towns and villages
The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.[3]
Cities
Villages
- Shaqqa
- Al-Ajailat
- Al-Ghariyah
- Al-Kefr
- Al-Qurayya
- Ariqah
- Ar-Raha
- Braiki
- Dair Allaban
- Dama
- Hobran
- Kafr Alluhuf
- Lahetha
- Msad
- Murduk
- Qanawat
- Rimet Alluhuf
- Rimet Hazem
- Samma Al-baradan
- Samma Al-hanidat
- Shaniri
- Shbeki
- Walgha
History
See also
References
- ^ a b c The Druze and Assad: Strategic Bedfellows
- ^ "President al-Assad issues decrees on appointing new governors for eight Syrian provinces". Syrian Arab News Agency. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ a b Statistics from "المكتب المركزي للاحصاء". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ Country Data Page on Syria
- ^ Shahba provides refuge for displaced Syrians Archived 2014-04-13 at the Wayback Machine. 28 September 2012.
- ^ Pipes, Daniel (1990). Greater Syria: The History of an Ambition. Oxford University Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-19-506021-8.
Places adjacent to As-Suwayda Governorate | ||||||||||||||||
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- v
- t
- e
- Aleppo
- Damascus
- Daraa
- Deir ez-Zor
- Hama
- Al-Hasakah
- Homs
- Idlib
- Latakia
- Quneitra
- Raqqa
- Rif Dimashq
- As-Suwayda
- Tartus
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