As-Suwayda Governorate
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Al-Suwayda Governorate مُحافظة السويداء |
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|---|---|
| Governorate | |
.svg) Map of Syria with al-Suwayda Governorate highlighted |
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| Coordinates (Al-Suwayda): 32°48′N 36°48′E / 32.8°N 36.8°ECoordinates: 32°48′N 36°48′E / 32.8°N 36.8°E | |
| Country |
 Syria
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| Capital | Al-Suwayda |
| Manatiq (Districts) | 3 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Amer Ibrahim Ashi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 770,000 |
| • Density | 140/km2 (360/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| ISO 3166 code | SY-SU |
| Main language(s) | Arabic |
Al-Suwayda Governorate (Arabic: السويداء / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat as-Suwaydā’) is the southernmost of Syria's 14 governorates. It has an area of 5,550 km² and forms part of the historic Hawran region. Its capital and major city is al-Suwayda. A large majority of the population are Druze.
Geographically the governorate comprises almost all of Jabal al-Druze, the eastern part of Lejah, and a part of the arid eastern steppe of Harrat al-Shamah.
The governorate has a population of about 770,000 inhabitants (est. 2011). It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority. There is also a sizable Eastern Orthodox minority, and a small Muslim refugee community from mainly Daraa Governorate as well as other parts of Syria.
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.
Most of the inhabitants live in the western parts of the governorate, especially on the western slopes of Jabal ad-Duruz. Only nomadic Bedouin tribes live in the barren region of Harrat al-Shamah.
The governorate is divided into 3 districts (manatiq):
These are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi).
The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 villages, and 36 hamlets.
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