Communications (Syria)
======================


     Railroads:
         2,350 km total; 2,035 km standard gauge, 315 km 1.050-meter (narrow) gauge
     Highways:
         28,000 km total; 22,000 km paved, 3,000 km gravel or crushed stone, 3,000 km
         improved earth
     Inland waterways:
         672 km; minimal economic importance
     Pipelines:
         crude oil 1,304 km, petroleum products 515 km
     Ports:
         Tartus, Latakia, Baniyas
     Merchant marine:
         29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 85,417 GRT/138,078 DWT; includes 25
         cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 vehicle carrier, 2 bulk
     Civil air:
         35 major transport aircraft
     Airports:
         104 total, 100 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways
         over 3,659 m; 21 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
     Telecommunications:
         fair system currently undergoing significant improvement; 512,600
         telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 1 FM, 17 TV; satellite earth stations
         - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Intersputnik, 1 submarine cable; coaxial
         cable and radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey