Description of Country Syria is a country located in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey. The modern nation of Syria did not exist until the 20th century, although the idea of Syria has been in existence since at least the time of the Prophet Muhammad. The name “Syria”, was first used by the Greeks, historically identifying the region at the eastern end of the Mediterranean lying between Egypt and Asia Minor. Greater Syria, the larger region (called this to distinguish it from the nation-state with the same name today), located at the crossroads of three continents, possesses a long and abounding history. It was an arena of conflict for centuries, serving as an invasion route for numerous …show more content…

French and English are somewhat understood by some. The Syrian economy grew by an estimated 2.9% in 2006, led by the petroleum and agricultural regions, which together account for about one-half of Gross Domestic Product. Higher crude oil prices evened out declining oil production and exports and led to higher budgetary and export receipts. Total foreign assets of the Central Bank and domestic banking system rose to about $20 billion in 2006, and the government strengthened the private sector foreign exchange rate by about 7% from the start of the year. The Government of Syria has started a few small economic reforms in the past few years, including opening private banks, consolidating some of the multiple exchange rates, cutting lending interest rates, and raising prices on some subsidized items, most notably, gasoline and cement. Nonetheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-run economic constraints include declining oil production and exports, weak investment, high unemployment, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution. (“Syria” – The World Factbook)
Analysis of Problems and Conflicts Political and national identification often overlaps with religious and ethnic affiliations. Because no single power was ever able to control all of