As-Suwayda Governorate

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.

Al-Suwayda Governorate
مُحافظة السويداء
Governorate
Map of Syria with al-Suwayda Governorate highlighted
Map of Syria with al-Suwayda Governorate highlighted
Coordinates (Al-Suwayda): 32.8°N 36.8°E / 32.8; 36.8
Country Syria
CapitalAl-Suwayda
Manatiq (Districts)3
Government
 • GovernorBassam Mamdouh Parsik[1]
Area
 • Total5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total375,000[2]
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 codeSY-SU
Main language(s)Arabic

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%.[2] Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.[2]

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

The governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi):

Cities, towns and villages
Suwayda's City aerial view October 2011
Main article: List of populated places in al-Suwayda Governorate

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

Cities

Villages

History

See also

References
  1. "President al-Assad issues decrees on appointing new governors for eight Syrian provinces". Syrian Arab News Agency. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  2. The Druze and Assad: Strategic Bedfellows
  3. Statistics from "المكتب المركزي للاحصاء". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  4. Country Data Page on Syria
  5. Shahba provides refuge for displaced Syrians Archived 2014-04-13 at the Wayback Machine. 28 September 2012.
  6. Pipes, Daniel (1990). Greater Syria: The History of an Ambition. Oxford University Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-19-506021-8.
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