As-Suwayda Governorate

Al-Suwayda Governorate

مُحافظة السويداء
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
Country	Syria
Capital	Al-Suwayda
Manatiq (Districts)	3
Government
• Governor	Amer Ibrahim Ashi
Area
• Total	5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	770,000
• Density	140/km2 (360/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 code	SY-SU
Main language(s)	Arabic

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. 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

Shahba

Salkhad

Al-Suwayda

The governorate is divided into 3 districts (manatiq):

These are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi).

Cities, towns and villages

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

Cities

Villages

References

^ ^a ^b Statistics from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Country Data Page on Syria
^ Shahba provides refuge for displaced Syrians. 28 September 2012.
^ Pipes, Daniel (1990). Greater Syria: The History of an Ambition. Oxford University Press. p. 151.

[cbssyr-1] Statistics from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[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.

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