Suwayda Governorate
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator. As-Suwayda or Al-Suwayda Governorate (Template:Langx) 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.
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 mountains.[1]
Demographics and population
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.
Government
The Drize majority government has leant towards a semi independent status, with a lot of its history rejecting central Syrian government. During the Assad period, the Suewieda Government was largely free of serious conflict. However, during this period there was regular passive resistance to Assad's rule, with constant public protests [7][8]with the people there closing the Baath party offices and removing Assad's posters on public, though this never escalated to armed revolution.[9]
SimiliaryAttacks on minorities, in particular Druze peooples, have shaken confidence in the post Assad Government [10]
Districts
Template:As-Suwayda Labelled Map
The governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi):
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Cities, towns and villages
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The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.[3]
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
See also
References
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- ↑ Country Data Page on Syria
- ↑ Shahba provides refuge for displaced Syrians Template:Webarchive. 28 September 2012.
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