Syrian Arab Republic

Capital:	Damascus
Population:	18,448,752
Area:	185,180 sq km
Climate:	mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus
Languages:	Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Currency:	Syrian pound (SYP)
Government:	republic under military regime
Religions:	Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
	Source: CIA World Factbook 2007