Английская Википедия:As-Suwayda Governorate
As-Suwayda or Al-Suwayda Governorate (Шаблон:Lang-ar / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat as-Suwaydā’) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is the southernmost governorate and has an area of 5,550 km² and forms part of the historic Hawran region. Its capital and major city 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 of As-Suwayda inhabitants work in agriculture, planting grapes, apple, olive, and wheat in general. In addition, there are four clearly demarcated seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall) which gives As-Suwayda nice weather and beautiful natural sites. As-Suwayda contains many archaeological sites.
Demographics and population
Шаблон:Bar box The governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants (est. 2011).[1] It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority.[2] 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.[3]
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.[4] In 2010, the As-Suwayda governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants, Druze made up 90%, Christians 7% and Sunni Muslims 3%.[5] Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.[5]
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.
Districts
Шаблон:As-Suwayda Labelled Map
The governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi):
Шаблон:Col-begin Шаблон:Col-break
- As-Suwayda District (3 sub-districts)
- Salkhad District (5 sub-districts)
- Shahba District (4 sub-districts)
Cities, towns and villages
The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.[1]
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
History
See also
References
Шаблон:Governorates of Syria Шаблон:Al-Suwayda Governorate Шаблон:Authority control
- ↑ 1,0 1,1 Statistics from Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Country Data Page on Syria
- ↑ Shahba provides refuge for displaced Syrians Шаблон:Webarchive. 28 September 2012.
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ 5,0 5,1 The Druze and Assad: Strategic Bedfellows
