Language: Arabic
Currency: Syrian pound (SYP)
Calling Code: 963
Syria (Arabic: سوريا Sūriyā), officially Syrian
Arab Republic is a sovereign country of the Near East, on the
eastern Mediterranean coast, whose form of government is the
semi-presidential unitary republic, currently plunged into the
Syrian Civil War since March 2011. It shares borders with Turkey in
the north, with Iraq in the east, with Israel, Jordan and the Sea of
Galilee in the south, and with Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea
in the west, the island of Cyprus being visible from its shores in
the distance. Syria is a member of the United Nations Organization
since its founding.
Syria has a population of 22.85 million inhabitants, most of whom
speak Arabic and profess the Islamic religion, with the Sunni being
the majority group. Among the non-Sunni Muslims in Syria are
Alawites and Shiites. In addition, there are minorities of the
Assyrian, Armenian, Turkish and Kurdish ethnic groups along with
thousands of Palestinian refugees.
After the First World War, the modern Syrian state emerged as a
French Mandate and represented the largest Arab state emerging from
the Levant after the end of Ottoman rule. On October 24, 1945, it
gained its independence and became a parliamentary republic,
although the French troops did not fully withdraw until April 1946.
The following years were very tumultuous, with consecutive coups and
attempts of failed blows between 1949 and 1963. Between 1958 and
1961 the country formed the United Arab Republic with Egypt, but its
ephemeral existence ended with the 1961 Syrian coup d'état. After
the Syrian Constitutional Referendum of 1961, the Syrian Arab
Republic was constituted although the 1963 coup the country remained
unstable. From March 8, 1963 until March 17, 2011, the Baath Arab
Socialist Party - Syria Region ruled the country under the
declaration of a state of emergency and since 1970 the presidency of
Syria has been exercised by family members. Asad, the first General
Hafez al-Asad, head of state from 1970 to 2000, followed by his son
Bashar al-Asad, current president.
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Aleika Castle Medieval ruins of Aleika Castle are located near Tartous in Syria. |
Aleppo Aleppo is a second largest city in Syria. It is also one of the oldest cities in the World. History of Aleppo stretches for five thousand years. |
Apamea Ancient Apamea is a former treasure city and stud-depot of the Seleucid kings. |
Bani Qahtan Castle Bani Qahtan Castle is a medieval Ismaeli Arab stronghold located in Latakia Governorate in Syria. |
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Bosra Bosra is a major ancient city in Syria that was designated as a UNESCO Word Heritage Site. |
Bourzey
Castle Bourzey Castle or Mirza Castle is situated on top of the mountain overlooking Ghab valley below in Syria. |
Citadel of Salah Ed-Din Citadel of Salah Ed-Din (Saladin) in Syria was not actually built by him, but he took this impressive castle after a brief siege. |
Doura Europos Ancient Doura Europos or Dura Europos is a Hellenistic, Parthian and Roman border city located in Syria. |
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Hosn Suleiman Hosn Suleiman was inhibited since the time of Phoenicians. Today remains of Greek and Roman periods are mostly visible. |
Krak des Chevaliers Krak des Chevaliers is one of the largest and best preserved castles from the time of the Crusades. |
Margat Castle Medieval Margat Castle in Syria was one of the major strongholds of the Knights Hospitaller in the Holy Land. |
Masyaf Castle Medieval Masyaf Castle became famous as the seat of Order of Assassins who used this stronghold as a base for their operations. |
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Palmyra Palmyra as Romans called it or Tadmore as it is known to Syrians means literally a 'date tree'. The city is easily accessed by bases from Damascus. |
Qal'at Ja'bar Medieval Castle of Qal'at Ja'bar is situated on an island on the lake Assad and connected with mainland by a narrow causeway. |
Qasr al-Heer Ruins of Qasr al-Heer al-Sharqi is a medieval royal residence that still inspire awe of those who visit the site. |
Qasr ibn Wardan Qasr ibn Wardan is a well preserved complex in Syria from the early Byzantine period. |
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Rahbeh Castle Rahbeh Castle also known as Qala'at Malek ibn Tauk are badly preserved ruins of the medieval castle in Syria. |
Resafa Ancient and early medieval ruins of Resafa are located in Ar-Raqqah Governorate of Syria. |
Shahba Ancient city of Shahba located in As-Suwayda Governorate is famous for its buildings and mosaics that adore them. |
Syrian Arab Republic is a state in the Middle East. The country borders Lebanon and Israel in the South- West, Jordan in the South, Iraq to the East and Turkey in the North. Syria has an access to Mediterranean Sea in the West. Ansari mountain range divided the country and shapes the climate of Syria. The wet Western part of the country is distinct from the more arid Eastern part of Syria that is dotted with mountain ranges Dazhabl al- Ruvak, Jabal Abu Jabal and Rudzhmayn Bishr. To the North of the mountains is a desert Hamad, to the South desert Homs. In the east Syria crosses the Euphrates river.
About 90% of the population in country are Muslims and 10% are Christians. About 75% of the Muslim population are Sunni, the other 25% are Alawites, Druze and Shi'a. Among the Christians half are Orthodox, another 18% are Catholic.
Photographing public institutions, palaces, military and transportation facilities is prohibited. Making photos inside the Muslim mosques is also prohibited. In Christian churches photos and videos can be made after asking for permissions. Do not take pictures of local women without permission. This can get you into a lot of trouble.
Police (Damascus) 112
Ambulance 110
Red Cross 442- 1600
Syria is a multi- party parliamentary republic. The head of the state is the president. The government is headed by the Prime Minister. The legislative body of Syria consists of the National Council. Currently the country is in a state of a Civil War. Travel to the region at your own risk. Although it is probably wiser to take a rain check for visiting the region.
The climate in Syria is subtropical, Mediterranean. The interior of the country is continental and dry. The average temperatures in January usually ranges between 4- 12 C and in July from 26- 33 C. The rainfall is from 100- 300 mm on the plateau to 1000mm per year in the mountains.
The official language of the country is Arabic. The northern region of the country uses Kurdish language. Other popular languages include Armenian, Circassian (Cherkess) and Turkmen. In some area there are uses of various dialects of Aramaic. French and English are also commonly used.
Take food, money and things with your right hand. Don't show the soles of your feet since this is very offensive. During the handshake you should not look in the eyes. Additionally don't hold your left hand in the pocket while you shake someone's hand. Don't bypass the worshipper in the front then he prays. Take off your shoes then you enter the mosque.
Avoid drinking alcohol in the public since it is prohibited by Qur'an. Clothing should modest. Appearing in sport and beach uniform in public is considered impolite. Even on the beach it is no recommended to appear in the nude or topless.
It is not recommended to join the Syrians in the political debate, especially concerning Israel.