Syria explained to kids

Syria is a country in the Middle East. It is bordered by Lebanon to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the southwest, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, and Jordan to the south. Syria has an area of 185,180 square kilometers (71,500 square miles). The capital and largest city is Damascus. Syria is a presidential republic with a unicameral legislature. The president is Bashar al-Assad, who took office in 2000. The constitution of Syria was adopted in 2012. Syria is a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Non-Aligned Movement. The Syrian economy is based on agriculture, oil, and tourism. The main crops are wheat, barley, cotton, and rice. Syria is one of the world's leading producers of olives. Oil is Syria's most important export. Syria's main tourist attractions are the cities of Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs. The Syrian people are a mix of Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, and other groups. The official language is Arabic. Islam is the religion of the majority of the people. Syria has a population of 22 million. The life expectancy is 74 years for men and 79 years for women.