Country Guide

Mauritania Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara


Geographic coordinates:
20 00 N, 12 00 W


Map references:
Africa


Area:
total:1,030,700 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 29
land:1,030,700 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico


Land boundaries:
total:5,074 km
border countries:Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km


Coastline:
754 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin


Climate:
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty


Terrain:
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills


    Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m
highest point:Kediet Ijill 915 m


Natural resources:
iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish


Land use:
arable land:0.44%
permanent crops:0.01%
other:99.55% (2011)


Irrigated land:
450.1 sq km (2004)


Total renewable water resources:
11.4 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
11.4 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts


Environment - current issues:
overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Mauritanian(s)
adjective:Mauritanian


Ethnic groups:
black Moors (Haratines - Arab-speaking slaves, former slaves, and their descendants of African origin, enslaved by white Moors) 40%, white Moors (of Arab-Berber descent, known as Bidhan) 30%, black Africans (non-Arabic speaking, Halpulaar, Soninke, Wolof, and Bamara ethnic groups) 30%


Languages:
Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya (a variety of Arabic)


Religions:
Muslim (official) 100%


Population:
3,516,806 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 133


Age structure:
0-14 years:39.5% (male 697,156/female 691,548)
15-24 years:20% (male 343,214/female 358,533)
25-54 years:32.5% (male 528,133/female 613,324)
55-64 years:4.5% (male 71,265/female 87,086)
65 years and over:3.5% (male 53,705/female 72,842) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:75.7 %
youth dependency ratio:70.1 %
elderly dependency ratio:5.6 %
potential support ratio:17.9 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:19.9 years
male:19 years
female:20.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
2.26% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 40


Birth rate:
31.83 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 36


Death rate:
8.35 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 86


Net migration rate:
-0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 146


Urbanization:
urban population:41.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
NOUAKCHOTT (capital) 786,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years:0.96 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.86 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.74 male(s)/female
total population:0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
21.9


Maternal mortality rate:
510 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:56.06 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 28
male:61.04 deaths/1,000 live births
female:50.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:62.28 yearscountry comparison to the world: 188
male:60 years
female:64.63 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
4.07 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 39


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
9.3% (2007)


Health expenditures:
5.4% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2009)


Hospital bed density:
0.4 beds/1,000 population (2006)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 52.3% of population
rural: 47.7% of population
total: 49.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 47.7% of population
rural: 52.3% of population
total: 50.4% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 51.1% of population
rural: 9.2% of population
total: 26.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 48.9% of population
rural: 90.8% of population
total: 73.3% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 83


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,500 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 100


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
800 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 81


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
12.7% (2008)country comparison to the world: 127


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
19.5% (2012)country comparison to the world: 32


Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 120

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:58.6%
male:65.3%
female:52% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:8 years
male:8 years
female:8 years (2012)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:Mauritania
local long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form:Muritaniyah


Government type:
military junta


Capital:
name:Nouakchott
geographic coordinates:18 04 N, 15 58 W
time difference:UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
13 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza


Independence:
28 November 1960 (from France)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)


Constitution:
previous 1964; latest adopted 12 July 1991; amended 2006, 2012 (2012)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August 2009); note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as President of the High State Council on 6 August 2008, retired from the military and stepped down from the presidency in April 2009 to run for president; he was elected president in an election held on 18 July 2009
head of government:Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF (since 14 August 2008)
cabinet:Council of Ministers
elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014)
election results:Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ elected president; percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%, Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, other 17.4%


Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 53 members elected by municipal leaders and 3 members elected for Mauritanians abroad to serve six-year terms; a portion of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (146 seats; 106 members elected in single- and multi-member constituencies to serve five-year terms and 40 are elected nationwide through a closed list proportional representation system to serve five-year terms; of the 40 seats elected at the nationwide level, 20 are reserved for women)
elections:Senate - last held in November 2009; National Assembly - first round last held on 23 November and second round on 21 December 2013
election results:Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPM (Coalition of Majority Parties) 45, COD 7, RNRD-TAWASSOUL 4; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UPR 75, RNRD-TAWASSOUL 16, El Wiam 10, APP 7, UDP 6, El Karam Party 6, AJD/MR 4, Surge of Youth for the Nation 4, El Vadila Party 3, PUD 3, Ravah Party 3, PRDR 3, others 6


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (subdivided into 1 criminal and 2 civil chambers, each with a president and 5 counselors); Constitutional Council (consists of 6 members)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic to serve a 5-year renewable term; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the president of the National Assembly, and 1 by the president of the Senate; members serve single, 9-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts:High Court of Justice (cases involving treason and criminal acts of high government officials); courts of appeal; wilaya (regional) courts (located at the headquarters of each of the 13 regions); commercial and labor courts; criminal courts; moughataa (district) courts; informal/customary courts


Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Justice and Democracy/Movement for Renewal or AJD/MR [Ibrahima Moctar SARR]
Alternative or El-Badil [Mohamed Yahdhi Ould MOCTAR HACEN]
Coalition of Majority Parties or CPM (parties supporting the regime including PRDR, UPR, UDP, RD, HATEM-PMUC, UCD)
Coalition for Pacific Alternation or CAP (coalition of opposition parties, including APP, El Wiam, and Sawab)
Coordination of Democratic Opposition or COD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH] (coalition of 11 opposition political parties including RNRD-TAWASSOUL, RFD, UFP, PNDD-ADIL, Alternative or El-Badil)
Democratic Renewal or RD [Moustapha Ould ABDEIDARRAHMANE]
El Karama Party [Cheikhna Ould Mohamed Ould HAJBOU]
El Vadila Party [Ethmane Ould Ahmed ABOULMAALY]
El Wiam [Boidiel Ould HOUMEIT]
Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change or HATEM-PMUC [Saleh Ould HANENA]
National Pact for Democracy and Development or PNDD-ADIL [Yahya Ould Ahmed El WAGHEF] (independents formerly supporting President Abdellahi)
National Rally for Freedom, Democracy and Equality or RNLDE
National Rally for Reform and Development or RNRD-TAWASSOUL [Mohamed Jamil MANSOUR] (moderate Islamists)
Party of Unity and Development or PUD [Mohamed BARO]
Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR]
Popular Front or FP [Mohamed Lemine Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]
Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]
Ravah Party
Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Mintata Mint HIDEID]
Sawab [Abdel Salem Ould HORMA]
Socialist and Democratic Unity Party or PUDS [Mahfouz Weld AZIZ]
Surge of Youth for the Nation [Lalla CHERIVA]
Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]
Union for the Republic or UPR [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed LEMINE]
Union of Democratic Center or UCD [Cheikh Sid'Ahmed Ould BABA]
Union of the Forces for Progress or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]


    Political pressure groups and leaders:
General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]


International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU (candidate), EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MIUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Mohamed Lemine El HAYCEN (since 28 July 2010)
chancery:2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 232-5700 through 5701
FAX:[1] (202) 319-2623


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David REIMER
embassy:288 Rue Abdallaye, Rue 42-100 (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott
mailing address:BP 222, Nouakchott
telephone:[222] 4525-2660 through 2663
FAX:[222] 4525-1592


Flag description:
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the gold color stands for the sands of the Sahara


National symbol(s):
star and crescent


National anthem:
name:'Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie' (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania)

lyrics/music:Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY
note:adopted 1960; the unique rhythm of the Mauritanian anthem makes it particularly challenging to sing

Economy

Economy - overview:
Mauritania's economy is dominated by natural resources and agriculture. Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania's extensive mineral resources include iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, and phosphate rock and exploration is ongoing for uranium, crude oil, and natural gas. Extractive commodities make up 75% of Mauritania's total exports. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, and fishing accounts for 20% of budget revenues, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. Risks to Mauritania's economy include its recurring exposure to droughts, dependence on foreign aid and investment, and insecurity in neighboring Mali, as well as significant shortages of infrastructure, institutional capacity, and human capital.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$8.204 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
$7.708 billion (2012 est.)
$7.212 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.183 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
6.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
6.9% (2012 est.)
3.6% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,200 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
$2,100 (2012 est.)
$2,000 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
27.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
26.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
39.3% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:52.4%
government consumption:22.7%
investment in fixed capital:61.9%
investment in inventories:-8.9%
exports of goods and services:56.8%
imports of goods and services:-84.9%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:16.9%
industry:54.6%
services:28.5% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep


Industries:
fish processing, oil production, mining (iron ore, gold, copper)


Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Labor force:
1.318 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 135


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:50%
industry:2%
services:48% (2001 est.)


    Unemployment rate:
30% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
20% (2004 est.)


Population below poverty line:
40% (2004 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.5%
highest 10%:29.5% (2000)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 66
37.3 (1995)


Budget:
revenues:$1.677 billion
expenditures:$1.702 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
40.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-0.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
4.9% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
9% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
12% (31 December 2007)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
17% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$1.739 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$1.514 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$1.24 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
-$1.263 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$2.728 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$2.642 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum


Exports - partners:
China 50.5%, Italy 7.8%, Japan 7.3%, France 4.9%, Spain 4.2%, Cote dIvoire 4.1%, Netherlands 4% (2012)


Imports:
$3.355 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$3.176 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods


Imports - partners:
China 12.9%, Netherlands 10.5%, US 7.8%, France 7.8%, Brazil 5.6%, Germany 5.5%, Spain 5.1%, Belgium 4.7% (2012)


Debt - external:
$3.233 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
$2.922 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar -
298.1 (2013 est.)
296.6 (2012 est.)
275.89 (2010 est.)
262.4 (2009)
238.2 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
701 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154


Electricity - consumption:
651.9 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
263,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
63.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
36.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203


Crude oil - production:
6,577 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


Crude oil - exports:
7,337 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
20 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
18,120 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200


Refined petroleum products - imports:
12,810 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97


Natural gas - proved reserves:
28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
1.774 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
65,100 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 158


Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.024 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 121


Telephone system:
general assessment:limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly
domestic:Mauritel, the national telecommunications company, was privatized in 2001 but remains the monopoly provider of fixed-line services; fixed-line teledensity 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity of roughly 106 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals
international:country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat); fiber-optic and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) cables for Internet access (2009)



    Broadcast media:
one state-run TV (Television de Mauritanie) and one state-run radio network (Radio de Mauritanie); Television de Mauritanie has three channels, Al Mahadra station (for Islamic content) and Channels 1 and 2, which cover news, sports, and other programming; Radio de Mauritanie runs 12 regional stations as well as a radio station for youth and the Holy Quran station; five private TV channels and five private radio stations also broadcast from Mauritania; six private international radio stations broadcast in Mauritania on the FM band; with satellite connections, Mauritanians also have access to hundreds of foreign TV channels (2013)


Internet country code:
.mr


Internet hosts:
22 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 220


Internet users:
75,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 170

Transportation

Airports
30 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 116


Airports - with paved runways
total:9
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
1,524 to 2,437 m:4 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:21
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:10
914 to 1,523 m:8
under 914 m:
2 (2013)


    Railways
standard gauge:728 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways
total:10,628 kmcountry comparison to the world: 133
paved:3,158 km
unpaved:7,470 km (2010)


Waterways



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Nouadhibou, Nouakchott

Military

Military branches
Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Islamic Republic of Mauritania Air Group (Groupement Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, GAIM) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:718,713
females age 16-49:804,622 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:480,042
females age 16-49:581,473 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:36,116
female:36,826 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant


Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):26,001 (Western Saharan - Sahrawis) (2013); 52,647 (Mali) (2014)


    Trafficking in persons

 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

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Country Guide

Syria Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey


Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 38 00 E


Map references:
Middle East


Area:
total:185,180 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 89
land:183,630 sq km
water:1,550 sq km
note:includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory


Area - comparative:
Area comparison map: '>


Land boundaries:
total:2,253 km
border countries:Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km


Coastline:
193 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm


Climate:
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus


    Terrain:
primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point:Mount Hermon 2,814 m


Natural resources:
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower


Land use:
arable land:24.9%
permanent crops:5.69%
other:69.41% (2011)


Irrigated land:
13,410 sq km (2010)


Total renewable water resources:
16.8 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
16.8 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
dust storms, sandstorms


Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification


Geography - note:
the capital of Damascus - located at an oasis fed by the Barada River - is thought to be one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities; there are 41 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (2010 est.)

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Syrian(s)
adjective:Syrian


Ethnic groups:
Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%


Languages:
Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian (widely understood); French, English (somewhat understood)


Religions:
Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian) 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3%, Jewish (few remaining in Damascus and Aleppo)


Population:
17,951,639country comparison to the world: 61
note:approximately 18,900 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2012) (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:33.1% (male 3,046,922/female 2,898,060)
15-24 years:20.2% (male 1,833,802/female 1,789,854)
25-54 years:37.9% (male 3,406,744/female 3,396,756)
55-64 years:4.8% (male 429,644/female 440,980)
65 years and over:3.9% (male 320,946/female 387,931) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:63.9 %
youth dependency ratio:57 %
elderly dependency ratio:6.9 %
potential support ratio:14.6 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:23.3 years
male:22.9 years
female:23.7 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
-9.73% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 233


Birth rate:
22.76 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 74


Death rate:
6.51 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 151


Net migration rate:
-113.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 222


Urbanization:
urban population:56.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
Aleppo 3.164 million; DAMASCUS (capital) 2.65 million; Hims 1.369 million; Hamah 933,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.85 male(s)/female
total population:1.03 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
70 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:15.79 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 103
male:18.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female:13.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:68.41 yearscountry comparison to the world: 161
male:61.4 years
female:75.84 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.68 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 73


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
58.3% (2006)


Health expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.5 physicians/1,000 population (2008)


Hospital bed density:
1.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 92.3% of population
rural: 87.2% of population
total: 90.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7.7% of population
rural: 12.8% of population
total: 9.9% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 96.2% of population
rural: 95.1% of population
total: 95.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.8% of population
rural: 4.9% of population
total: 4.3% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)country comparison to the world: 146


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2003 est.)country comparison to the world: 158


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)country comparison to the world: 110


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
27.1% (2008)country comparison to the world: 41


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
10.1% (2009)country comparison to the world: 70


Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2009)country comparison to the world: 70

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:84.1%
male:90.3%
female:77.7% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:12 years
male:12 years
female:12 years (2011)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:19.2%country comparison to the world: 63
male:15.3%
female:40.2% (2010)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form:Syria
local long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form:Suriyah
former:United Arab Republic (with Egypt)


Government type:
republic under an authoritarian regime


Capital:
name:Damascus
geographic coordinates:33 30 N, 36 18 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins midnight on the last Friday in March; ends at midnight on the first Friday in November


Administrative divisions:
14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq (Damascus), Halab, Hamah, Hims (Homs), Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus Countryside), Tartus


Independence:
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 April (1946)


Constitution:
several previous; latest issued 15 February 2012, passed by referendum 26 February 2012 (2013)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 21 February 2006); Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006)
head of government:Prime Minister Wael al-HALQI (since 9 August 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers Fahd Jasim al-FURAYJ, Lt. Gen. Walid al-MUALEM
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - new Council appointed on 14 April 2011
elections:president approved by popular referendum (the 2012 constitution allows for two successive 7-year terms); referendum last held in 3 June 2014 (next to be held in June 2021); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers
election results:Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 88.7%, Hassan al-NOURI 4.3%, Maher HAJJER 3.2%, other/invalid 3.8%


Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 7 May 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Court of Cassation (organized into civil, criminal, religious, and military divisions, each with 3 judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 4 members)
judge selection and term of office:Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC, a judicial management body headed by the minister of justice with 7 members including the national president; judge tenure NA; Supreme Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the SJC; judges appointed for 4-year renewable terms
subordinate courts:courts of first instance; magistrates' courts; religious and military courts; Economic Security Court


    Political parties and leaders:
Free Syrian Army
Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Muhammad Riyad al-SHAQFAH] (operates in exile in London)
Syrian Opposition Coalition or National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces [al-Asi- al-JARBAL]
note:there are also hundreds of local groups that organize protests and stage armed attacks


International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)


Diplomatic representation in the US:
note:embassy ceased operation since 18 March 2014
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mounir KOUDMANI
chancery:2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 232-6313
FAX:[1] (202) 265-4585


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Robert Stephen FORD (since 7 January 2011); note - on 6 February 2012, the US closed its embassy in Damascus
embassy:Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus
mailing address:P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone:[963] (11) 3391-4444
FAX:[963] (11) 3391-3999


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the current design dates to 1980


National symbol(s):
hawk


National anthem:
name:'Humat ad-Diyar' (Guardians of the Homeland)

lyrics/music:Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL
note:adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem

Economy

Economy - overview:
Despite modest economic growth and reform prior to the outbreak of unrest, Syria's economy continues to deteriorate amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2011. The economy further contracted in 2013 because of international sanctions, widespread infrastructure damage, reduced domestic consumption and production, and sharply rising inflation. The government has struggled to address the effects of economic decline, which include dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, and the decreasing value of the Syrian pound. The ongoing conflict and economic decline have created a humanitarian crisis, prompting widespread need for international aid. Prior to the unrest, Damascus began liberalizing economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange. The economy remains highly regulated by the government. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$107.6 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$110.1 billion (2010 est.)
$106.5 billion (2009 est.)
note:data are in 2011 US dollars
the war driven deterioration of the economy resulted in a disappearance of quality national level statistics in 2012-13


GDP (official exchange rate):
$64.7 billion (2011 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
-2.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
3.4% (2010 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,100 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
$5,100 (2010 est.)
$5,200 (2010 est.)
note:data are in 2011 US dollars


Gross national saving:
5.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
12.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
15% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:68.3%
government consumption:19.7%
investment in fixed capital:20.1%
investment in inventories:9.3%
exports of goods and services:11.3%
imports of goods and services:-28.6%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:17.6%
industry:22.2%
services:60.2% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk


Industries:
petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, automobile assembly


Industrial production growth rate:
-20.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Labor force:
5.014 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:17%
industry:16%
services:67% (2008 est.)


Unemployment rate:
17.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
18% (2012 est.)


    Population below poverty line:
11.9% (2006 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


Budget:
revenues:$2.38 billion
expenditures:$7.56 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
3.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194


Public debt:
58.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
52.4% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
59.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
36.9% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
5% (31 December 2012 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
11.7% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$8.097 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$16.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$12.77 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$27.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$7.777 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$17.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$5.879 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
-$6.706 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$2.675 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$3.876 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat


Exports - partners:
Iraq 58.4%, Saudi Arabia 9.7%, Kuwait 6.4%, UAE 5.5%, Libya 4.1% (2012)


Imports:
$8.917 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$10.78 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper


Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 22.8%, UAE 11.2%, Iran 8.3%, China 7.3%, Iraq 6.8% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.895 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
$4.793 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$9.796 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$8.394 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar -
105.3 (2013 est.)
64.392 (2012 est.)
11.225 (2010 est.)
46.708 (2009)
46.5281 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
43.76 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55


Electricity - consumption:
35.61 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57


Electricity - exports:
1.043 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8.323 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
89.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
10.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125


Crude oil - production:
182,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Crude oil - exports:
152,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33


Refined petroleum products - production:
253,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
258,800 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49


Refined petroleum products - exports:
36,210 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65


Refined petroleum products - imports:
104,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50


Natural gas - production:
7.87 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45


Natural gas - consumption:
9.63 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187


Natural gas - imports:
250 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69


Natural gas - proved reserves:
240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
63.14 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
4.425 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 36


Telephones - mobile cellular:
12.928 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 66


Telephone system:
general assessment:fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology and expansion of the network to rural areas; the armed insurgency that began in 2011 has led to major disruptions to the network and has caused telephone and Internet outages throughout the country
domestic:the number of fixed-line connections has increased markedly since 2000; mobile-cellular service growing with telephone subscribership nearly 60 per 100 persons in 2011
international:country code - 963; submarine cable connection to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel (2011)



    Broadcast media:
state-run TV and radio broadcast networks; state operates 2 TV networks and a satellite channel; roughly two-thirds of Syrian homes have a satellite dish providing access to foreign TV broadcasts; 3 state-run radio channels; first private radio station launched in 2005; private radio broadcasters prohibited from transmitting news or political content (2007)


Internet country code:
.sy


Internet hosts:
416 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 187


Internet users:
4.469 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 52

Transportation

Airports
90 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 62


Airports - with paved runways
total:29
over 3,047 m:5
2,438 to 3,047 m:16
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:5 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:61
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:12
under 914 m:
48 (2013)


Heliports
6 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 3,170 km; oil 2,029 km (2013)


Railways
total:2,052 kmcountry comparison to the world: 72
standard gauge:1,801 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:251 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)


    Roadways
total:69,873 kmcountry comparison to the world: 67
paved:63,060 km
unpaved:6,813 km (2010)


Waterways
900 km (navigable but not economically significant) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 69


Merchant marine
total:19country comparison to the world: 95
by type:bulk carrier 4, cargo 14, carrier 1
registered in other countries:166 (Barbados 1, Belize 4, Bolivia 4, Cambodia 22, Comoros 5, Dominica 4, Georgia 24, Lebanon 2, Liberia 1, Malta 4, Moldova 5, North Korea 4, Panama 34, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Sierra Leone 13, Tanzania 23, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus

Military

Military branches
Syrian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (includes Air Defense Forces) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months; women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve; re-enlistment obligation 5 years, with retirement after 15 years or age 40 (enlisted) or 20 years or age 45 (NCOs) (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:5,889,837
females age 16-49:5,660,751 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:5,055,510
females age 16-49:4,884,151 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:256,698
female:244,712 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force patrolling a buffer zone since 1964; lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms in the Golan Heights; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan


Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):146,200 (Iraq) (2013); 517,255 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2014)
note:the ongoing civil war had created more than 2.8 million Syrian refugees - dispersed in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey - as of February 2014
IDPs:6.5 million (ongoing civil war since 2011) (2014)
stateless persons:221,000 (2012); note - Syria's stateless population is composed of Kurds and Palestinians; stateless persons are prevented from voting, owning land, holding certain jobs, receiving food subsidies or public healthcare, enrolling in public schools, or being legally married to Syrian citizens; in 1962, some 120,000 Syrian Kurds were stripped of their Syrian citizenship, rendering them and their descendants stateless; in 2011, the Syrian Government granted citizenship to thousands of Syrian Kurds as a means of appeasement; however, resolving the question of statelessness is not a priority given Syria's ongoing civil war



    Trafficking in persons



Illicit drugs
a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook