BACKGROUND: Syria plays key role in Middle East (Monsters & Critics)
Berlin/Damascus - Syria plays a crucial role in conflicts in the Middle East, due largely to its strategic location between Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon.
Syria covers an area of 185,000 square kilometres and is home to some 22 million people. Its varied geography includes a mountainous coastline, fertile areas along the Euphrates river and large sand deserts. More than half of the population lives in cities. The largest of them include Aleppo, the capital Damascus, Homs and Latakia.
Syria's economy relies mainly on oil and gas exports. Agricultural produce such as cotton, fruit and vegetables as well as a textile industry are other important sources of revenue.
Apart from the native Arabic language, many Syrians speak French or English. Unemployment among young people is high.
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1688522.php/BACKGROUND-Syria-plays-key-role-in-Middle-East
