SYRIA
Meredith, Joanna,
Megan and Daira
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The Capital of Syria is
Damascus.
Damascus was established in
2500 B.C. and is the oldest
capital in the world.
The Current Syrian President
is Bashar al-Assad
Syria is located in Western
Asia.
Boarders Lebanon and Iraq.
The population is 22,530,746.
Syrian government is
a Unitary republic and has a
Semi-presidential system.
Syria’s currency is the Syrian
pound.
 1517—Syria
fell into the hands of the
Ottoman Turks.
 Syria used to be inhabited by Canaanites,
Hebrews, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans.
 The Ottoman Turks ruled for 400 years (15171917).
 1920, King Faysal established an independent
Arab Kingdom in Syria.
 Syria
experienced military overthrows, which
caused constant disorder in Syria.
 1956, Syria established an union with Egypt,
but this did not last long.
 1961, Syria became the Syrian Arab Republic.
 Syria
is a republic under an authoritarian
military-dominated regime.
 Syria is Repeatedly Accused of Supporting
Terrorist Groups
 Syria Sinks into Civil War
 Many issues with Israel
 Relationship
between United States
 Opposition Forms New Governing Body
Syria’s natural resources:
agriculture, oil, industry, and tourism
 GDP composition by sector: (2012 est)
Agriculture consists
of:
 Services: 56.6%
 Industry: 25.3%
 Industrial production growth
rate: 6% (2010 est)
Wheat
Barley
Cotton
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Lentils
Chick Peas
Olives
Sugar Beets
Beef
Mutton
Eggs
Poultry
Milk
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Industries consist of:
Agriculture: 18%
Agriculture used
to make up for
25% of GDP and
25% of the labor
force before the
drought hit
It’s GDP
accounted for
17% in 2008, and
20.4% in 2007
Petroleum
Textiles
Food processing
Beverages
Tobacco
Phosphate rock mining
Cement
Oil seeds crushing
Car assembly
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The drought lasted from 2006 to roughly 2011. Up to 60% of land
experienced crop failure.
Herders lost around 85% of livestock which affected 1.3 million
people.
200,000 villagers in 2010 were forced to head for the cities so
they could better afford to live.
Government has tapped into groundwater resources over 135,000
times in 1999 to a jump of 213,000 times in 2007.
In 2013 the UN has implemented an emergency program, but
food distribution has been stopped by security conditions.
As of Jan 2012 the government announced a policy to reduce
subsidies and allow process to rise.
Basic commodities such as bread continue to be heavily
subsidized.
The macro economy is also collapsing because of the mini
economics collapsing within the macro picture.
Example of the shoe textile factories 9,000 shut down because of
no money.
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In 1960s they were producing heavy-grade oil and in the
1980s light-grade.
In 1995 oil production was @ 610,000 barrels per day (bpd)
but this went down to 379,000 bpd in 2008.
This accounted for 50% of the government’s income in
2005.
Syria exported roughly 150,000 bpd in 2008.
2009 the oil sector accounted for 23% of government
revenues, 20% of exports, and 225 of GDP in 2008
according to Syria Report of the Oxford Business Group.
Oil exports for hard currency was over 30% of total export
income in 2010.
Pre-revolution Syria produced 400,000 bpd and consumed
300,000.
In the past few months Assad has put prices of essential
commodities, such as gas by 62% and oil by 106% according
to the Agence France Presse.
 The
tourism sector was about 5% of GDP in
2011 according to the World Travel and
Tourism Council
 Because of the unrest economy and what is
happening in Syria, tourism has dropped
dramatically
 “Because has slowed down massively, many
factories in Aleppo, especially textiles, have
been laying off workers, putting them on
reduced, pay or reduced hours. Hotels are
empty, and the thousands of informal
workers in the sector are now unemployed.”
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In 2001 Syria legalized private banking and in 2004 four private
banks began operations.
In August 2004, a committee formatted to supervise the
establishment of a stock market.
Once private banking was legalized, President Assad signed
legislative decrees to encourage corporate ownership reform and
allowed the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bands for
government debt.
No debt instruments were available until Dec of 2010.
Decriminalized private sector use of foreign currencies in 2003.
In 2005 it allowed licensed private banks to sell foreign currency
to Syrian citizens under certain circumstances and to the private
sector to finance imports.
2012 updated the government controlled bank banned the
withdrawal of totals more than $5,000 as well as increased
interest on bank deposits from 7% to 9% while halving reserve
requirements from 10% to 5% according to Nassib Ghabril
Commercial.
Bank prime lending rate: 11.7% (Dec 31st 2012 est)
60% of population
under the age of 20
 Pop approx. 22.5
million people
 Pop growth rate 2.37%
 65% of pop under the
age of 35
 40% under the age of
15
 Pop below poverty
line 11.9% (2006 est)
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Labor force: 5.54 million (2012 est)
 Unemployment rate: 18% (2012 est)
 Approx. 200,000 people enter the labor market
every year
 Unemployment rate as of currently 2012-2013 is
30% to 45%
 Gov. and public sector employees constitute
about 30% of the total labor force
 Gov. officials acknowledged that the economy
was not growing at a pace sufficient to create
enough new jobs annually to match population
growth even prior to the protests
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Repairing damage caused by 2 years of fighting would cost up to $80 billion says
Abdullah at Dardari, former deputy premier for economic affairs under President
Bashar-al Assad.
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“One of the reasons behind the uprising was the government’s economic dead lock.
The ‘do nothing’ scenario in Syria, seen before the crisis, is very stuck in itself,
regardless of the uprising” –Dr. Samir al-Taqi, director of the Dubai-based Orient
Research Center and former member of Syria’s parliament.
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Pre-revolution, the economy was worth about $60 billion. Since 2011, it has shrunk
35-40% and unemployment has gone from 8.3% to 35%.
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Economic losses over the last 22 months stand @ $48.4 billion, almost 82% of the
country’s GDP FOR 2010.
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It is expected for public debt to reach 46.2% of GDP in 2013
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Public debt: 44% of GDP (2012 est)
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Current account balance= -$5.103 billion (2012 est)
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External debt= $8.818 billion (Dec 31st 2012 est)
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GDP per capita expanded 80% in 60s, reached a peak of 336% in 70s and shrank to
33% in 80s.
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GDP per capita grew 12% in 90s.
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President Bashar al-Assad’s gov has spent billions of $’s of hard currency reserves on
wages fuel subsidies and propping up the ground
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The liberalization of the Syrian economy was always
stopped by the mafias surrounding the ruling family.
The family was never investing their revenues into
the country, but mainly investing in the telecoms
sector and ‘hit-and-run sectors.
There’ve been a lot of mistakes by the Syrian
government. They’re no longer capable of controlling
the economic deterioration. The economy isn’t only
suffering because of the war, but because the
government printed four times the necessary amount
of liquid money when inflation rose.
60,000 people dead (2013 est)
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled to
neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon,
Jordan, and Iraq
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Syrian pounds per U.S. dollar:
63.94 (2012 est)
48.371 (2011 est)
11.225 (2010 est)
46.708 (2009 est)
46.5281 (2008 est)
Syrian pounds to U.S. dollar
exchange rate:
1980: 3.94 pounds
1985: 3.92 pounds
1990: 28.80 pounds
1995: 35.30 pounds
2000: 49.68 pounds
2005: 56.09 pounds
2010: 47.00 pounds
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In March 2011 inflation rose to 40%
and the exchange rate with the U.S.
money fell to 5% according to the
International Finance
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The Washington based International
Finance said the reserves could be
depleted by the end of 2013
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In 2012 Syria’s official reserves at
one point started around $18 billion
and fell and the rate of nearly $80
million per week
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To prevent utter chaos the central
bank started pumping foreign
currencies into the Syrian pound
exchange rate on the black market
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The deficit was forecast to reach
745 billion Syrian pounds ($10
billion) in 2013, compared with the
then expected deficit of 216 billion
Syrian pounds ($3 billion) in 2012,
SANA reported
The government has reinstituted fuel subsidies
for the poor as well as upped salaries for those
out of work. Increased government spending and
Assad’s personal plea for Syrians to help save
their economy have not worked.
 If the conflict stops today, the country can still
be saved, the society, its unity, and sovereignty.
 If the war continues: unemployment rate would
reach 58% by 2015, and the number of Syrians
would plunge into absolute poverty, living on less
than $1.25 a day, could rise to 44% from 12% pre
revolution
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 Muhammad
is the founder of Islam. Religion is an
essential part of Syria’s culture and daily life.
 74% of the population is Sunni Muslim. 16% is
Alawite (Shia), 3% Druze. 10% is Christianity. 90%
Arab and 9% other Ethnic groups.
 Syrian culture is based on the importance of
respect, self-discipline and the importance of
family.
 In Syrian culture, family is placed before everything
else in life. Older family members are to be shown
respect and honor.
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Food is an essential part in
religious celebrations and
weddings.
Both lamb and pork are
popular food items. Pork is
an important food in the
Islam religion and culture.
Mezzeh is a mid-day meal
that consist of twenty to
thirty small dishes.
Tea is an important drink
during gatherings. Alcohol
is a forbidden drink.
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Men traditionally wear long
gowns called kaftans. Women
wear long robes as well and
only show their hands and feet.
The younger generation are
more likely to wear modern
Western attire.
According to tradition,
wearing long robes and face
veils is a sign of wealth and
status for women.
 The
word Islam means, “submission to God.”
 The Islamic foundation is based on five
pillars.
 No priests or clergy in Islam. Instead there
are muezzins who are studiers and
interpreters of the Quran, the holy book.
 In rural areas there is belief in the evil eye
and jinn (spirits).
 Most important month is Ramadan.Following
Ramadan is the feast of Eid al Fitr.
 The
Five Pillars of Islam are: testimony of
faith, prayer, giving zakat, fasting during the
month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to
Makkah.
 Testimony of faith emphasizes that there is
only one true God (Allah).
 All Muslims must pray five times a day.
 Zakat means “purification or growth.” Money
that is set aside for the poor is purified.
 Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
 Making a pilgrimage to Haram in Makkah, a
holy site. Must do this at least once during
life-time.
 1966,
U.S. and Syria established a diplomatic
relationship.
 November, 1967, Council Resolution 242 was
created.
 Resolution 242, served as a peace treaty
between Arab nations and U.S.
 1985, relationships between U.S. and Syria
improved.
 Syria was placed on a list of countries that
support terrorists.
 Since
2005, after the assassination of Prime
Minister Rafik al-Hariri, the relationship has
declined greatly.
 Syria criticizes American policy in Middle
East.
 Restrictions have been placed on U.S. goods
being shipped to Syria.
 U.S. has provided assistance to refugees
fleeing Syria.
 Peace Treaty—should always include Syria.
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Countries and their culture: Syria. (2013). 22, April,
2013. www.everyculture.com/syria
What are the Five Pillars of Islam? A Brief Illustrated
Guide to Understanding Islam. 20, April 213.
www.islam-guide.com/syria
U.S. Relations with Syria. (2012). U.S. Department of
State. 24, April 2013. www.state.gov
Between Freedom and Sectarianism. (2012). New
Republic. 243 (16), 39-44.
AKKAYA, S. (2012). RISE OF POLITICAL ISLAM IN
TURKEY AND ITS EFFECTS ON TURKISH-SYRIAN
RELATIONS. Contemporary Readings In Law & Social
Justice, 4 (2), 226-237.
Syria: History. (2012). Michigan State University.
www.globaledge.msu.edu/countries/syria