Sweida 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 Sweida.
Sweida Governorate مُحافظة السويداء | |
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Governorate | |
Map of Syria with Sweida Governorate highlighted | |
Interactive map of Sweida Governorate | |
| Coordinates (Sweida): 32°48′N 36°48′E / 32.8°N 36.8°E | |
| Country | Syria |
| Control | Supreme Legal Committee in Suwayda (mostly) Syrian transitional government (west areas only) |
| Capital | Sweida |
| Manatiq (Districts) | 3 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Mustafa al-Bakour |
| • Head of the Sweida Governorate Council | Muhsina al-Mahithawi |
| • Commander of the Internal Security Forces for Sweida Province | Hussam al-Tahhan |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi) |
| Population (2010) | |
• Total | 375,000 |
| • Density | 67.6/km2 (175/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
| ISO 3166 code | SY-SU |
| Main language(s) | Arabic |
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 Sweida and Daraa governorates are part of the historic Hauran region.
Most inhabitants of Sweida are employed in agriculture, cultivating crops such as grapes, apples, olives, and wheat. Additionally, Sweida is home to numerous archaeological sites.
The governorate had a population of 313,231 in the 2004 census. 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 and a Sunni Muslim Bedouin minority.
History
Civil War (2011–present)
Geography
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 133 localities. The population figures are given according to the 2004 official census:
| English name | Population | District |
|---|---|---|
| Suwayda | 73,641 | Suwayda District |
| Shahba | 13,660 | Shahba District |
| Salkhad | 9,155 | Salkhad District |
| Qanawat | 8,324 | Suwayda District |
| Al-Kafr | 7,458 | Suwayda District |
| Al-Qurayya | 6,789 | Salkhad District |
| Ira | 6,136 | Suwayda District |
| Urman | 5,735 | Salkhad District |
| Ar-Raha | 5,711 | Suwayda District |
| Shaqqa | 5,116 | Shahba District |
The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.
Cities
- Suwayda
- Shahba
- Salkhad
Towns
- Al-Ariqah
- Dhibin
- Al-Ghariyah
- Malah
- Al-Mazraa
- Al-Mushannaf
- Al-Qurayya
- As-Sawra as-Saghira
- Shaqqa
Demographics
The governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants (est. 2010). It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority. 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. 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.
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%. In 2010, the As-Suwayda governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants, Druze made up 90%, Christians 7% and Sunni Muslims 3%. Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.
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 with the people there closing the Baath party offices and removing Assad's posters on public, though this never escalated to armed revolution.
Similarly, attacks on minorities, in particular Druze peoples, have shaken confidence in the post Assad Government
See also
- Druze in Syria
- Christianity in Syria
- Jabal Druze State (1921-1936)
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