CIA Factbook The World Factbook 1994: SyriaCommunications Railroads: 1,998 km total; 1,766 km standard gauge, 232 km 1.050-meter (narrow) gauge Highways: • total: 29,000 km • paved: 22,680 km (including 670 km of expressways) (1988) • unpaved: 6,320 km Inland waterways: 870 km; minimal economic importance Pipelines: crude oil 1,304 km; petroleum products 515 km Ports: Tartus, Latakia, Baniyas, Jablah Merchant marine: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 151,519 GRT/243,910 DWT, bulk 7, cargo 48, vehicle carrier 2 Airports: • total: 104 • usable: 100 • with permanent-surface runways: 24 • with runways over 3,659 m: 0 • with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 21 • with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 3 Telecommunications: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber optic technology; 512,600 telephones (37 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations—9 AM, 1 FM, 17 TV; satellite earth stations—1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Intersputnik; 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey