The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Syria is located in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey. Syria is bounded on the north by Turkey, Iraq on east and southeast; on the south by Jordan, Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea on the west and Israel on the southwest. Syria has a total area of 185,180 km2.

Syria primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west, the lowest point is unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m and the highest point is Mount Hermon 2,814 m.

The climate in Syria is mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus.

The Government of Syria has implemented modest economic reforms in the last few years, including cutting interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating some of the multiple exchange rates, and raising prices on some subsidized foodstuffs. Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long run economic constraints include declining oil production and exports and pressure on water supplies caused by rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and increased water pollution. Agricultural products are wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk.

Syria does not harbour Desert Locust breeding areas; the Plant Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform based in Damascus is responsible for Desert Locust control in case of an emergency situation.