Syria: Introduction

Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, the information on these pages may not reflect current conditions in the country.

Syria is a country in the Middle East bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Neighboring countries include Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. The geography of Syria is primarily semiarid and desert plateau with a double mountain belt in the west. The government system is a republic under authoritarian regime. The chief of state is the President and the head of government is the Prime Minister. Syria has a mixed economy in which there is limited private freedom but the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Syria is a member of the Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU).