Syria

Julia FrascinoMrs. MunroGeography N44-16-12

Located in the Middle East

Thanks to:WorldbookonlineCulturegramsGoogle Images

I Welcome you to Syria

Welcome to Syria! My name is Amalia and today I will be telling you all about Syria. I will tell you about my family, the climate, economy, natural resources, ancestry, our way of life, education, agriculture, food, and service industries.

My Family

My family consists of 4 people: my dad, Yaman; my mom, Lynn; my younger sister, Hadeel; and of course me. My dad is an oil dredger off the coast, but my mom stays at home to cook and clean. We live in a small house that only has room for 3 people, but we manage 4.

The Climate

The coast:

Syria’s coast is usually humid. The coast is where I live and it is very hot in the summer.

The temperature here gets as low as 48 degrees Fahrenheit in January.

It can reach up to 81 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in July. In July, my friends and I usually like to play games outside.

Mountains:

It’s 41 degrees Fahrenheit in January. Whenever I go to the mountains in January I need to wear my heaviest coat.

It gets very cool in the mountains during summer and only gets as warm as 72 degrees Fahrenheit in July. This is my favorite time to go to the mountains.

The coast of Syria.

Climate (Continued)

Valleys and Plains:

In January it’s very chilly and reaches only 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s an amazing 88 degrees Fahrenheit in July and this is my favorite time to go here and relax with my sister.

A valley in Syria. A plain in Syria.

The EconomySyria is a developing country.

Most of the farms, businesses, and small industries are privately owned. My dad works in a business in a very small building located right down the block from me.

My parents told me when I was very little that in 1990 Syria began to allow more privatization of businesses, including private banking.

A small farm in Syria.

Natural Resources

The most valuable resource here in my country is agriculture land and petroleum.

At the Tabka Dam, hydroelectric power is made. In school we learned all about the Tabka Dam and I found it very interesting. We had to do a project on it and I made a model of it.

Petroleum.

Ancestry

In my country more than 90% speak Arabic. I'm in the middle of learning Arabic, and it is very difficult.

Arabic is the official language here.

English to Arabic

English ArabicEnglish Phrases Greetings Arabic Phrases Greetings

Hi! Salam!

Good morning! Sabah el kheer

Good evening! Masaa el kheer

How are you? Kaifa haloka

And you? Wa ant?

Good night! Tosbeho

Good bye! Ma’a salama

What's new? Maljadeed?

See you later! fi ma ba'd

Way of Life

Syria has some of the oldest cities in the world!

Some parts of Syria have newer cities, with apartments and modern houses. We live in a modern house but it’s still very cramped.

Most Syrians live in rural areas.

An apartment on the Streets of Syria.

Way of Life (Continued)

Syrians that live in rural areas wear traditional clothing. Their traditional clothing includes billowy trousers and cloth head which covers their whole head. This is what my family and I wear.

Religion Map

Education

Our school requires ages 6-11 to go to school. I don’t go any more because I am 12 years old. So my mom teaches me little things like our language.

Many of my friends do not attend school because there is not enough classrooms and teachers.

An all girls school in Syria.My school that I used to go to.

Agriculture

Cotton and wheat are the main crops that grow here.

Usually farmers grow barley, sugar beets, olives, and tomatoes.

Farmers usually work on small plots of land. My uncle, for example, works on a small farm, and grows crops.

Cotton. Wheat.

Food

The most common ingredients are beans, rice, chicken, lamb, and bulgur. My least favorite ingredient is bulgur.

Foul is my favorite dish. It includes fava beans (which are delicious), tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Yum!

Foul (my favorite dish!). Rice. Fava Beans.

Service Industries

Service industries employ 40% of the country’s workers.

The service industries here include wholesale and retail trade, tourism, and government services.

The money spent on government services goes to the military.

1) The law says that children ages 6-11 have to go to school.

2) The constitution calls Syria a Socialist Popular Democracy.

3) ¾ of all Syrians above the age of 15 can read and/or write.

4) Many Syrian families think it’s improper for girls to play sports.

5) Once boys and girls are no longer considered children, they are not allowed to spend time together unless they are related.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts (Continued)

6) Around 22.5 million people live in Syria.

7) During a holiday called “Ramadan” the people in Syria don’t eat.

8) People have lived in Syria for more than 150,000 years.

9) In their third year of school they either learn English or French.

10) Syrian families have to work 2 or 3 jobs to survive.

!Quiz!

1. What is my favorite food?

Foul

2. What are the main crops that grow in Syria?

Cotton and wheat

3. Syria's coast is usually what?

Humid

4. How do you say “Hi” in Arabic?

Salam

Thanks for learning all about my country, Syria! I hope you enjoyed learning what life is like in Syria. One day I hope you have a chance to visit me and that I have a chance to visit you! As you can see, my life is probably very different than you. Ma’a salama!