As-Suwayda Governorate
Syrian province From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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, covering an area of 5,550 km², and is part of the historic Hawran region. The capital and largest city of the governorate is al-Suwayda.
Al-Suwayda Governorate
مُحافظة السويداء | |
|---|---|
.svg) Map of Syria with al-Suwayda Governorate highlighted | |
| Coordinates (Al-Suwayda): 32.8°N 36.8°E | |
| Country |  Syria |
| Capital | Al-Suwayda |
| Manatiq (Districts) | 3 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Akram Ali Muhammad[1][2] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 375,000[3] |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | SY-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 inhabitants of As-Suwayda are employed in agriculture, cultivating crops such as grapes, apples, olives, and wheat. Additionally, As-Suwayda is home to numerous archaeological sites.
This governorate is unique in Syria as it has a Druze majority. Additionally, it has integrated Christian communities that have long coexisted harmoniously with the Druze in these mountain.[4]
| Religious composition of Suweida Governorate (2010)[3] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Druze | 90% | |||
| Christians | 7% | |||
| Sunni Muslims | 3% | |||
The governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants (est. 2011).[5] It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority.[6] 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.[7]
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.[8] In 2010, the As-Suwayda governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants, Druze made up 90%, Christians 7% and Sunni Muslims 3%.[3] Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.[3]
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.
The governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi):
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The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.[5]
Cities
Villages
- Shaqqa
- Al-Ajailat
- Al-Ghariyah
- Al-Kefr
- Al-Qurayya
- Ariqah
- Ar-Raha
- Braiki
- Dair Allaban
- Dama
- Hobran
- Kafr Alluhuf
- Lahetha
- Msad
- Murduk
- Qanawat
- Rimet Alluhuf
- Rimet Hazem
- Samma Al-baradan
- Samma Al-hanidat
- Shaniri
- Shbeki
- Walgha
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