As-Suwayda Governorate
Al-Suwayda Governorate
مُحافظة السويداء | |
---|---|
![]() Map of Syria with al-Suwayda Governorate highlighted | |
Coordinates (Al-Suwayda): 32°48′N 36°48′E / 32.8°N 36.8°E | |
Country | ![]() |
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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Swaida_city.jpg/400px-Swaida_city.jpg)
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
- Al-Qurayya
- Al-Ajailat
- Al-Ghariyah
- Al-Kefr
- Ariqah
- Braiki
- Dair Allaban
- Dama
- Hobran
- Kafr Alluhuf
- Lahetha
- Murduk
- Qanawat
- Rimet Alluhuf
See also
References
- ^ a b Statistics from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
{{cite web}}
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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.