Syria

Syria is assigned the UN M49 code 760, ISO alpha-2 code SY, and ISO alpha-3 code SYR. The United Nations classifies Syria under the region Asia and subregion Western Asia, and it is a UN member state. The World Bank capital field lists Damascus. These identifiers come from the UN Statistics Division’s standard country or area codes for statistical use (M49) and the World Bank’s country API; they are classification facts, not political or territorial claims. The M49 overview is maintained at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/ and the World Bank API at https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/SYR?format=json.

How to verify data for Syria

Volatile figures, demographic estimates, languages, currency, government, economy and travel requirements change frequently and are defined differently by different sources. Do not treat any single number as permanent. For every statistic below, check the named source and reference year before citing it.

The World Bank country API returns a structured profile for Syria with the income grouping, region and capital city as recorded by the World Bank. The UN M49 overview gives the standard statistical codes used across UN agencies: M49 code 760, ISO alpha-2 SY, ISO alpha-3 SYR, region Asia, subregion Western Asia, and membership status as a UN member state. These classification facts are stable and are the same regardless of political recognition disputes or territorial control. The World Bank API returns the capital field as Damascus, but note that the World Bank’s data reflects its own operational definitions and reporting calendar; the reference year is shown in each indicator.

For demographic estimates, the UN’s World Population Prospects is the standard source, and the UN Statistics Division M49 overview clarifies which territories fall under the statistical classification of Syria. For a quick cross-check, the World Bank API returns the country code SYR and indicators, but always note the reference year in each indicator. The CIA World Factbook and national statistical office may differ from UN estimates; cite the source and year for each figure you use.

Country codes and statistical grouping

Syria is a member state of the United Nations. In the UN M49 standard, the nation is coded 760, with ISO alpha-2 code SY and ISO alpha-3 code SYR. The UN assigns Syria to the region Asia and the subregion Western Asia. These are statistical codes, not political or territorial claims. The World Bank’s capital field lists Damascus. For the authoritative list of UN M49 codes, see the UN Statistics Division overview at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/. The World Bank’s country API at https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/SYR?format=json provides machine-readable identifiers, income group and lending category; the JSON response includes the id (ISO alpha-3) and iso2Code fields.

Stable classification facts

The United Nations Statistics Division assigns Syria the M49 code 760. The ISO alpha-2 code is SY and the ISO alpha-3 code is SYR. The UN lists Syria under the region Asia and the subregion Western Asia. Syria is a UN member state. The World Bank’s capital field for Syria is Damascus. These codes are stable identifiers, not political statements; they reflect the UN statistical system, which may differ from political or territorial claims.

How to verify demographic, economic and travel data

Syria’s situation is volatile. Population figures, exchange rates, government control and travel rules change quickly and are contested. Do not rely on a single number. Always check the source, the reference date and the methodology behind any figure you cite.

Population

The UN publishes demographic estimates and projections for all member states. The World Bank API also returns population data. For Syria, the most recent UN or World Bank figure should be cited with its reference year, because displacement and conflict have caused large shifts. The UN M49 overview lists Syria under Western Asia and the country code 760. For the latest estimate, use the World Bank country API: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/SYR?format=json. The World Bank API returns a JSON record for each nation, including Syria’s ISO code and region, but the population figure itself is a separate indicator (SP.POP.TOTL). Always check the API metadata for the reference year. National statistical offices publish census and survey data; the UN Population Division provides inter-censal estimates. Do not assume that a single population number is current; check the reference year and the estimation method.

Population figures for Syria change constantly and are contested. The most recent UN population estimates are published in the World Population Prospects, and the World Bank hosts the same series through its country API. Use the World Bank API to pull the latest value:

https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/SYR?format=json

The World Bank data is drawn from UN population estimates and national statistics; the reference year is printed in the API response, so always quote the year with any figure. The Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) publishes national estimates, but civil registration coverage has been affected by the conflict; treat national figures as provisional and cross-check with UN and World Bank estimates. Do not mix census counts with projections; they use different definitions and reference dates.

The most recent official census was conducted in 2004; displacement and conflict since then have made population distribution highly uncertain. For a current figure, use the World Bank country API and note the year attached to the indicator. The UN M49 overview provides the statistical grouping, not a population figure. Always check the reference year and source before citing a number.

Capital

The World Bank capital field for Syria lists Damascus. The UN M49 grouping places Syria in Western Asia under the broader Asia region. Political control and administrative functions are disputed among multiple parties; this reports the World Bank’s administrative field as a statistical identifier, not as a territorial or sovereignty claim. For administrative and diplomatic information, consult the United Nations and your own government’s foreign ministry.

Currency

The Syrian pound (SYP) is the official currency. Exchange rates and availability change frequently; verify through a financial data source or your bank. The Central Bank of Syria publishes official rates, but market rates may differ, and international payment systems may impose restrictions. Do not assume any single rate is the true rate.

Language

Arabic is the official language. Other languages are spoken by different communities; check UNESCO or national statistical sources for figures. Language data changes slowly but census definitions and survey coverage vary.

Government and economy

Use the World Bank country profile API for income grouping, GDP per capita (PPP) and poverty headcount data; name the API call and the reference year. For political system descriptions, use the CIA World Factbook (secondary compilation, clearly attributed) and the UN member state record. Do not assert leadership, election dates or legal changes without a named source and reference year.

Travel and safety

For entry, visa and safety information, direct readers to their own government’s official travel advisory and to the IATA Travel Centre. Do not summarize or interpret security conditions. This is not a travel guide.

Geographic and demographic context

• Capital: Damascus (per World Bank)
• Land area: 185,180 km² (World Bank, 2021)
• Population: see UN estimate; cite the reference year
• Languages: Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French and English are also spoken. Source: CIA World Factbook (accessed 2025).
• Currency: Syrian pound (SYP); central bank: Central Bank of Syria.
• Government: Unitary dominant-party semi-presidential republic (de jure); fragmented control since 2011, with different parts under Syrian government, opposition groups and other forces.
• Economy: GDP per capita (PPP) 2023: about $2,900 (CIA World Factbook estimate); GDP per capita (nominal) 2023: about $1,600 (CIA World Factbook estimate). Oil and agriculture historically important; conflict has severely damaged infrastructure and institutions.
• Internet: IANA country code top-level domain: .sy; IANA time zone: Asia/Damascus.
• UN member since 1945-10-24.