PEOPLE
Ethnic
Syrians are of Semitic stock. Syria's population is 90% Muslim--74%
Sunni, and 16% other Muslim groups, including the Alawi, Shi'a,
and Druze--and 10% Christian. There also is a tiny Syrian Jewish
community.
Arabic is the official, and most widely spoken, language. Arabs, including some 500,000 Palestinian and 100,000 Iraqi refugees, make up 90% of the population. Many educated Syrians also speak English or French, but English is the more widely understood. The Kurds, many of whom speak Kurdish, make up 9% of the population and live mostly in the northeast corner of Syria, though sizable Kurdish communities live in most major Syrian cities as well. Armenian and Turkic are spoken among the small Armenian and Turkoman populations.
Most people live in the Euphrates River valley and along the coastal plain, a fertile strip between the coastal mountains and the desert. Overall population density is about 140 per sq. mi. Education is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 11. Schooling consists of 6 years of primary education followed by a 3-year general or vocational training period and a 3-year academic or vocational program. The second 3-year period of academic training is required for university admission. Total enrollment at post-secondary schools is over 150,000. The literacy rate of Syrians aged 15 and older is 88% for males and 74%for females.
Ancient
Syria's cultural and artistic achievements and contributions are
many. Archaeologists have discovered extensive writings and evidence
of a brilliant culture rivaling those of Mesopotamia and Egypt
in and around the ancient city of Ebla. Later Syrian scholars
and artists contributed to Hellenistic and Roman thought and culture.
Zeno of Sidon founded the Epicurean school; Cicero was a pupil
of Antiochus of Ascalon at Athens; and the writings of Posidonius
of Apamea influenced Livy and Plutarch. Syrians have contributed
to Arabic literature and music and have a proud tradition of oral
and written poetry. Although declining, the world-famous handicraft
industry still employs thousands.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Syrian(s).
Population (2005 est.)*: 18.6 million.
Growth rate (2005 est.): 2.45%
Major ethnic groups: Arabs (90%), Kurds (9%), Armenians, Circassians,Turkomans.
Religions: Sunni Muslims (74%), Alawis (12%), Christians (10%), Druze (3%), and small numbers of other Muslim sects, Jews, and Yazidis.
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French (widely understood), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian.
Education (2005 est.): Years compulsory--primary, 6 yrs. Attendance--97.9% Literacy--92.5%;87.9%male, 73.9%female.
Health (2004): Infant mortality rate--17.1/1,000. Life expectancy--68.47 yrs. male, 71.02 yrs. female.
Work force (6.1 million, 2004 est.): Services (including government)--39.7%; agriculture--26%; industry and commerce--34.3%.
