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Ar Raqqah Governorate

Raqqa
مُحافظة الرقة
Governorate
Map of Syria with Raqqa highlighted
Map of Syria with Raqqa highlighted
Coordinates (Raqqa): 36°00′N 38°54′E / 36°N 38.9°E / 36; 38.9Coordinates: 36°00′N 38°54′E / 36°N 38.9°E / 36; 38.9
Country  Syria
Capital Raqqa
Manatiq (Districts) 3
Area
 • Total 19,616 km2 (7,574 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 944,000
 • Density 48/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
ISO 3166 code SY-RA
Main language(s) Arabic

Raqqa Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة الرقة‎, translit. Muḥāfaẓat ar-Raqqah‎) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in the north of the country and covers an area of 19,616 km². The governorate has a population of 921,000 (2010 census office estimate). The capital is Raqqa. The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant claimed full control of this province as of August 24, 2014 when its fighters captured Tabqa Airbase in the southwest part of the province. However, the Syrian Democratic Forces now control much of the province ; all of the area north of the Euphrates River except the provincial capital itself and southwestern area of the province including Al Thawrah and Tabqa Dam.

The governorate is divided into 3 districts (manatiq):

These are further divided into sub-districts (nawahi).

As of 19 September 2012, the town of Tal Abyad, directly across the border from the Turkish town of Akçakale, was already under rebel control.

On 11 February 2013, Syrian rebels, including al-Nusra fighters, took control of the Tabqa dam, and Tabqa city, according to SOHR and videos posted by rebels. Tabqa Dam, on the Euphrates river, is the largest hydroelectric dam in Syria and provides electricity to many areas, including Aleppo. Tabqa is also known as Thawrah.


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