Official name: Syrian Arab Republic Independent since: 1946
Former colonial rulers: Ottoman Empire; France
Location: between Turkey and Iraq
Area: 71,498 square miles
Capital: Damascus
Population: 17.2 million (2002 est.)
Official language: Arabic
Major religions: Sunni Islam; other Islam
Gross domestic product: US$54.2 billion (2001 est.)
Major exports: petroleum and petroleum products; vegetables and fruits; cotton; textiles and fabrics
Military expenditures: US$921 million (2000 est.)
Day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this area was part of the Ottoman Empire. During World War I the Ottoman Empire sided with Germany. After the German defeat, the Middle East was divided between British and French spheres of influence. What are now Syria and Lebanon were under control of the French mandate.
The state of Greater Lebanon was established in 1920. Like most parts of the Middle East, Lebanon contained many Christian and Muslim communities. The Muslim communities disliked being under the control of the Maronite Christians. Many Muslims continued to think of themselves as Syrians and looked to Syria for protection. In 1924 Syria was created out of the governmental areas of Damascus and Aleppo. Most Syrians resisted the French mandate, and in 1925, there were many local uprisings. It took France two years to crush the revolt, but popular discontent remained.
In 1936 France signed separate treaties with Lebanon and Syria. These treaties created an enlarged Syria, granted it entry into the League of Nations, and transferred political power to nationalist parties. However, the French parliament's refusal to ratify the treaties led to strikes and outbreaks of violence that lasted until 1943. In that year the British persuaded the French government to hold general elections. In both Lebanon and Syria, nationalist governments took office. They vowed to end the French mandate and become independent. Their goals were achieved in 1946 when France withdrew from Syria and Lebanon.
World History
