GENERAL INFORMATION
It is no wonder that Syria is the Cradle of Civilizations which flourished throughout history:
monuments, archaeological sites, impregnable castles, citadels and dead cities narrate the glorious history of ancient nations.
It is a wonderful panorama of natural colors and images: seacoast, mountains, forests, rolling hills, fertile valleys, plains and steppes.
The basaltic and the limestone ruins tell about a marvelous architectural art. Corinthian columns the Khans spread all over the Silk Road, the castles still towering from the Medieval Ages, and the mosques and palaces are all witnesses of a great rich history.
Syria has always been a center where East and West meet with their varied civilizations. The tourist can feel the East and the West through this and the open-minded, warm welcoming ever smiling Syrians.
Syria extends over 185.180 km with a 183 km coastline on the Mediterranean Sea forming its western gate.
Syria consists of four big areas:
1. The coastal region with its moderate climate.
2. The mountainous region, which consists of two chains: Latakia mountains in the west, Al – Zawia mountains in the east and Al – Ghab valley in between, which is crossed by the Orontes river with Lebanon's eastern mountains and the AL Haramoun mountains in the south.
3. The interior plain region consists of Aleppo and Al Jazerah valleys where the Euphrates runs, in addition to the Homs and Hama valleys.
4. The Syrian Badiat : located in the middle and to the east of Syria.
The Climate
The climate of Syria varies from Mediterranean at the coast to dry in the interior region. The geographical location of Syria and its climate variation made it possible for about 3500 kinds of plants to grow.
There are also different kinds of animals such as camels, wild rabbits, hyenas, jackals, falcons, eagles, gazelles, wolfs and not to forget the Arab pure race horses.
Only one visit to Syria will make you see wide horizons of human life spread over a deep – rooted history. Since ancient times and almost before ten thousand years B.C., this land was a center for human civilization. When you visit its museums and see its treasures and ruins, you will feel that you are reading an encyclopedia telling you about the human civilization and its development.
The Governmental System
Syria is a republic where people elect their President every seven years and members of the Peoples Assembly, every four years. The Syrian president nominates the Prime Minister and the current president of Syria is President Dr. Bashar AL Assad.
The Cultural Movement
The cultural movement in Syria is characterized by its different activities. There are fairs, concerts and dance festivals, which are performed at historical theaters like Bosra and Palmyra , and also at modern theaters found in all Syrian cities.
There are also exhibitions, cinema and theatre festivals, and fairs such as : The International Flower Fair, Palmyra Festival, and Bosra Festival. In addition, there are several sport events like swimming , horse races and football.
Syria is the place to enjoy nature with its different images while walking and cycling.
The Food
The Syrian food is characterized by its tasty flavors, smells and eastern spices such as sour sumac, appetizing coriander and delicious meat meals cooked with fresh mint.
There are also the Syrian famous dishes such as taboulah and Fattoush , which contain several kinds of useful vegetables. Sweets on the other hand, are mixed with orange – flower water, rose water coconut, and pistachio in addition to apricots and dates . Besides that , there are several western cuisines (Italian – Chinese – American and French), which can be served in the luxurious hotels spread all over Syria.
Museums
Museums in Syria contain an endless number of treasures. These magnificent artifacts make the visitors feel themselves in a time tunnel while they are going from one hall to another in these museums. The instruments made of stones and articles of worship take us back in history, while the antique jewelry brings to mind a picture of the women who used the pieces to adorn themselves.
Through these museums, we will go deep into the great and luxurious temples and stand
at the gates of the first Alphabet City and at the entrance of a big palace built by the Omayyad Caliph in that wide desert. In these museums, we pay tribute to the greatness of Islamic Civilization with its scientific discoveries , inventions , and artistic creations from delicate ornamentation and valuable hand written manuscript, while the magnificent mosaic tells the story of ancient philosophers and the Mediterranean mythology: ( Ulysses- The lliad – Orpheus….. )
Souks ( Markets )
Tourists can enjoy wandering through Damascus' famous historical souks such as: Al Hamidieh, Madhat – Pasha in the Street called Straight, Souk Al Hareer, Al Khayateen, Al Bzourieh where the scent of the Syrian spices is in the air, in addition to Al Sagha where Al Bimarestan An – Nuri (Museum of Arabic Medicine and Sciences) is situated nearby.
The Syrian souks are either traditional or modern .
Old Souks still have their traditional touches where the handicraft skills are passed from father to son. These souks are famous for valuable textiles such as hand-printed cloth, brocades, local silk, Damesco, Aghabani garments ornamented with gold and silver, as well as carpets and rugs patterned with Arabic designs and charming colors. This is in addition to handmade products such as: gold, silver, brass, ceramic, pottery and blown glass, as well as wood carvings inlaid with mother of pearl, mosaic and oriental ornamentation, leather products and gold and silver jewelry.
Many restaurants and snacks are available everywhere in Syria where visitors can enjoy delicious Syrian cuisine such as: Kibbe, Mutabbal, Hommos, Tabbouleh and drinks such as: Lemon Juice, Licorice, Tamarind, Ayran (yogurt), Julep, and hand beaten ice cream mixed with pistachio.
General Infomation
Area: 185, 180 sq km
Population: 17.000.000 inhabitants (official estimate of 1995), with a density of 81.0 per sq km.
Capital: Damascus, with an estimated population of 4,500,000 (official estimate 1995); the Second City is Aleppo with about 2,000,000 inhabitants.
Governmental Regime: Syria is a republic in which the President is elected for seven years by referendum. He appoints The Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Legislative Council consists of 250 deputies and is elected every four years by national elections.
Language: Arabic, French & English
Religion: Mainly Muslim and Christian
Time: GMT + 2 in winter and GMT + 3 from April 1, to September 30
Geography: Geographically, the country is divided into 4 main areas:
Fertile plains in the northeast, steppe and desert region in the central and southeastern areas, coastal and mountain areas in the west, and the region of the Euphrates, of which 600 km pass through Syria.
Climate: The coast and the western mountains have a Mediterranean climate with a long dry season from May toOctober. On the coast, summers are hot (daily maxima around 29° C) and winters are mild (daily minima: 10° C). Inland the climate becomes arid, with cold winters and hotter summers (max. in summer: 40° C -min. in winter 1° C). Snow may occur in winter away from the coast and frosts are common.
Currency: The national currency is the Syrian Pound, divided in 100 piastres. There are coins of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 Syrian Pounds and bank notes of 5, 10, 25, 100, 200, 500 and 1000Syrian Pounds. The actual exchange rate at the bank is 51 Syrian Pounds for 1 USD. Export of local currency is not allowed.
Banking Hours: 8 AM till 3.30 PM from Sunday till Thursday - closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Exchange is also possible in the 5* hotels.
Credit cards: Visa and American Express are accepted in various hotels and shops. Also tickets can be bought with a credit card.
Current: 220Volts AC, 50 Hz - European-style 2-pin plugs
Clothing: In summer, light, cotton cloths are advisable. Sunglasses, a hat and a good pair of walking shoes are recommendable. A woolen jacket for the evenings in the mountains or desert. In winter, cloths should be brought as temperatures may reach 0° C!
Health: No special vaccinations are requested.
Drinking Water: It is recommended to drink bottled water, certainly outside the large cities.
Departure tax: An airport tax of 200 Syrian Pounds is requested upon departure from the airports. Transit passengers are exempt.
