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Suwayda Governorate
Syrian province From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Suwayda or As-Suwayda Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة السويداء, romanized: Muḥāfaẓat as-Suwaydā’) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is the country's southernmost governorate, covering an area of 5,550 km², and is bordered by Daraa governorate in the west Rif Dimashq governorate in the north and northeast, and the country of Jordan in the south and southeast. The capital and largest city of the governorate is Suwayda.
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Geographically the governorate comprises almost all of Jabal al-Druze, the eastern part of Lajat, and a part of the arid eastern steppe of Harrat al-Sham. Both Suwayda and Daraa governorates are part of the historic Hauran region.
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.
The governorate had a population of 313,546 in the 2004 census.[2]
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[3] and a Sunni Muslim Bedouin minority.
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History
Civil War (2011–present)
Geography
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Districts
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
This list includes all cities, towns and villages with more than 5,000 inhabitants. Based on the 2004 census, the Suwayda Governorate was populated by 134 localities. The population figures are given according to the 2004 official census:[4] [5]
The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.[6]
Cities
Towns
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Demographics
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The governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants (est. 2010).[6] It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority.[7] This is due to the large scale migration of the Druze from Lebanon (and to a lesser extent, the Galilee) from the mid-19th through the early 20th century.[8] There is also a sizable Greek Orthodox minority, and a small Sunni Muslim Bedouin community. During the civil war, many Sunni Muslim refugees—mainly from Daraa Governorate as well as other parts of Syria—found refuge in Suwayda.[9]
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.[10] In 2010, the As-Suwayda governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants, Druze made up 90%, Christians 7% and Sunni Muslims 3%.[1] Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.[1]
Most of the inhabitants live in the western parts of the governorate, especially on the western slopes of Jabal al-Druze. Only nomadic Bedouin tribes live in the barren region of Harrat al-Shamah.
Government
The Druze majority government has leant towards a semi independent status, with a lot of its history rejecting central Syrian government. During the Assad period, the Suwayda Government was largely free of serious conflict. However, during this period there was regular passive resistance to Assad's rule, with constant public protests [11][12]with the people there closing the Baath party offices and removing Assad's posters on public, though this never escalated to armed revolution.[13]
Similarly, attacks on minorities, in particular Druze peoples, have shaken confidence in the post Assad Government [14]
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See also
- Druze in Syria
- Christians in Syria
- Jabal Druze State (1921-1936)
References
External links
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