Homs Governorate

Homs Governorate
مُحافظة حمص
Official seal of Homs Governorate
Map of Syria with Homs highlighted
Map of Syria with Homs highlighted
Interactive map of Homs Governorate
Coordinates (Homs): 34°18′N 38°18′E / 34.3°N 38.3°E / 34.3; 38.3
Country Syria
CapitalHoms
Manatiq (Districts)7
Government
 • GovernorAbdulrahman al-A'ama
Area
 • Total
42,226 km2 (16,304 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
1,803,000
 • Density42.70/km2 (110.6/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (AST)
ISO 3166 codeSY-HI
Main language(s)Arabic
Websitehomsgov.sy

Homs Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة حمص Muḥāfaẓat Ḥimṣ) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in central Syria. It has 42,226 km2 (16,304 sq mi).It is geographically the largest governorate in Syria. Homs Governorate has a population of 1,763,000 as of 2010. The Homs governorate is divided into six administrative districts (mantiqah), with the city of Homs as a separate district. Homs is the capital city of the district of Homs. Its governor is Namir Habib Makhlouf.[1]

History

A Homs Governorate also formed part of Ottoman Syria, when it was also known as the Sanjak of Homs.

During the Syrian civil war, the governorate witnessed several major military operations, including the Homs offensive of November–December 2015, which marked one of the key campaigns in the region.

Districts

The governorate is divided into seven districts, known as manatiqs. The districts are further divided into 25 sub-districts, known as nawahis:

* - a newly-created district since 2010, formerly belonging to Homs District

Demographics

Religious composition of Homs Governorate (2011)
Sunnis
64%
Alawites
25%
Christians
8%
Twelver Shias
2%
Ismailis
0.2%

In late 2011, the population of Homs reached 1,803,000. This amounted to 8% of Syria’s total population. Sunni Muslims made up 64% of the governorate, while Alawite Muslims made up 25%, Christians made up 8%, Twelver Shia Muslims made up 2%, and Ismaili Muslims made up 0.2%.[2]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ Zwaan, Irene de (7 April 2014). "Pater Frans van der Lugt doodgeschoten in Homs - Burgeroorlog in Syrië - VK". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  2. ^ Qutrib, Hussein Ibrahim. ""Useful Syria" and Demographic Changes in Syria" (PDF). King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. p. 8. Retrieved 11 January 2025.