SYRIA CASE STUDY
Syria
Physical map
You can see from the map that much of Syria is arid, with greener areas following rivers and other sources of water such as the Mediterranean to the east.
Political map
Fact file:
Area
Syria has an area of 185,180 km²
Population
20.82 million (2011)
Resources
Petroleum in commercial quantities was first discovered in the northeast in 1956. The most important oil fields are those of Suwaydiyah, Qaratshui, Rumayian, and Tayyem, near Dayr az–Zawr. The fields are a natural extension of the Iraqi fields of Mosul and Kirkuk. Petroleum became Syria's leading natural resource and chief export after 1974. Natural gas was discovered at the field of Jbessa in 1940.
Syria remains dependent on the oil and agriculture sectors. The oil sector provides about 40% of export earnings. The agriculture sector contributes to about 20% of GDP and 20% of employment. Oil reserves are expected to decrease in the coming years and Syria has already become a net oil importer.
Syria's main exports include crude oil, refined products, raw cotton, clothing, fruits, and grains. The bulk of Syrian imports are raw materials essential for industry, vehicles, agricultural equipment, and heavy machinery. Earnings from oil exports as well as remittances from Syrian workers are the government's most important sources of foreign exchange.
GDP
Syria’s share in global exports has fallen gradually since 2001. The GDP growth per capita was just 2.5% per year from 2001 to 2008. Unemployment is high at 10%, and poverty rates have recently increased, from 11% in 2004 to 12.3% in 2007.
As a result of the on-going Syrian war, the overall value of Syria’s exports have fallen by 2 thirds, from $12bn USD in 2010 to only $4bn USD in 2012.
Agriulture
The agriculture sector contributes to about 20% of GDP and 20% of employment. Until the mid-1970s, agriculture in Syria had been the primary economic activity. Water is a scarce resource in Syria as it is throughout the
Physical map
You can see from the map that much of Syria is arid, with greener areas following rivers and other sources of water such as the Mediterranean to the east.
Political map
Fact file:
Area
Syria has an area of 185,180 km²
Population
20.82 million (2011)
Resources
Petroleum in commercial quantities was first discovered in the northeast in 1956. The most important oil fields are those of Suwaydiyah, Qaratshui, Rumayian, and Tayyem, near Dayr az–Zawr. The fields are a natural extension of the Iraqi fields of Mosul and Kirkuk. Petroleum became Syria's leading natural resource and chief export after 1974. Natural gas was discovered at the field of Jbessa in 1940.
Syria remains dependent on the oil and agriculture sectors. The oil sector provides about 40% of export earnings. The agriculture sector contributes to about 20% of GDP and 20% of employment. Oil reserves are expected to decrease in the coming years and Syria has already become a net oil importer.
Syria's main exports include crude oil, refined products, raw cotton, clothing, fruits, and grains. The bulk of Syrian imports are raw materials essential for industry, vehicles, agricultural equipment, and heavy machinery. Earnings from oil exports as well as remittances from Syrian workers are the government's most important sources of foreign exchange.
GDP
Syria’s share in global exports has fallen gradually since 2001. The GDP growth per capita was just 2.5% per year from 2001 to 2008. Unemployment is high at 10%, and poverty rates have recently increased, from 11% in 2004 to 12.3% in 2007.
As a result of the on-going Syrian war, the overall value of Syria’s exports have fallen by 2 thirds, from $12bn USD in 2010 to only $4bn USD in 2012.
Agriulture
The agriculture sector contributes to about 20% of GDP and 20% of employment. Until the mid-1970s, agriculture in Syria had been the primary economic activity. Water is a scarce resource in Syria as it is throughout the