| Al-Suwayda Governorate | |
| Native Name: | مُحافظة السويداء |
| Native Name Lang: | ar |
| Settlement Type: | Governorate |
| Coordinates: | 32.8°N 36.8°W |
| Coor Pinpoint: | Al-Suwayda |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Parts Type: | Manatiq (Districts) |
| Parts Style: | para |
| P1: | 3 |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Al-Suwayda |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Akram Ali Muhammad[1] [2] |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 5550 |
| Population Total: | 375000[3] |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Blank Name Sec1: | Main language(s) |
| Blank Info Sec1: | Arabic |
| Timezone1: | EET |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | EEST |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | +3 |
| Iso Code: | SY-SU |
As-Suwayda or Al-Suwayda Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة السويداء / ALA-LC: Muḥāfaẓat as-Suwaydā’) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is the southernmost governorate, covering an area of 5,550 km², and is part of the historic Hawran region. The capital and largest city of the governorate is al-Suwayda.
Geographically the governorate comprises almost all of Jabal al-Druze, the eastern part of Lejah, and a part of the arid eastern steppe of Harrat al-Shamah.
Most inhabitants of As-Suwayda are employed in agriculture, cultivating crops such as grapes, apples, olives, and wheat. Additionally, As-Suwayda is home to numerous archaeological sites.
This governorate is unique in Syria as it has a Druze majority. Additionally, it has integrated Christian communities that have long coexisted harmoniously with the Druze in these mountain.[4]
The governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants (est. 2011).[5] It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority.[6] There is also a sizable Eastern Orthodox minority, and a small Muslim refugee community from mainly Daraa Governorate as well as other parts of Syria.[7]
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.[8] In 2010, the As-Suwayda governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants, Druze made up 90%, Christians 7% and Sunni Muslims 3%.[9] Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.[3]
Most of the inhabitants live in the western parts of the governorate, especially on the western slopes of Jabal ad-Duruz. Only nomadic Bedouin tribes live in the barren region of Harrat al-Shamah.
The governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi):
See main article: List of populated places in al-Suwayda Governorate.
The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.[5]