General Information about Syria

Location

A gateway to the entire Middle East, the Syrian Arab Republic is located in West Asia.  Western borders: The Mediterranean Sea and Lebanon; Northern Border: Turkey; Southern Border: The Kingdom of Jordan; Eastern Border: Iraq.

Area

185,000 square kilometers (71,498 sq. miles).

Syria is divided into regions of great geographic diversity, each with its own unique climate and history.  Along the Mediterranean and in the Northwest part of the country, the landscape is characterized by lush verdant valleys, separated by rolling hills and mountains.  In the southern region - the Hauran - and around the capital city of Damascus, the agricultural Northwest gives way to drier and more spectacular desert scenery, which continues Eastward to the agricultural regions along the Euphrates River.

Capital

Damascus

Population

Over 19 Million (July 2007 estimate)

Language

The official language of Syria is Arabic.  English is rapidly emerging as the foreign language of choice, with French taking secondary importance.  Officially licenced guides are available for all major European languages.

Religion

Around 90% of Syrians are Muslim or members of Muslim-derived groups.  Christians account for the remaining tenth or so of the population.  Unlike many Arab countries, Syria does not have an official state religion.  The regime in Syria has made a conscious effort to separate religion and politics, and to create a cohesive state founded on modern secular notions of citizenship, emphasizing a pan-Arab ideology.  Mutual respect and tolerance among members of different faiths and sects represents a remarkable aspect of Syrian society.

Climate

March - May and September - November:	Sunny, warm and clear, with temperatures reaching 25°C in the daytime.  These are the best times to visit Syria.
December - February:	Cold and rainy, with snow on rare occasions.
June - August:	Hot and clear, with no rain, and temperatures occasionally reaching 40°C or above

Time

GMT 2 hours year round (except April 1- October 1: GMT 3)

Business Hours & Holidays

Offices:         Sun -Thurs, 08:00-15:30

Shops:           Sat-Thurs, 10:00-20:00

Shops and offices are closed on Fridays, except in Christian areas where they close on Sundays.  Museums are closed on Tuesdays. 

Islamic Holidays:  Among the Islamic holidays celebrated in Syria are the Small Feast at the end of Ramadan, or Eid Al-Fitr, and the Big Feast, or Eid Al-Adha. During the eid holidays many shops and offices close for three days. Due to the Islamic calendar, which uses lunar months, the dates of these feasts vary each year:

 

Year	Ramadan begin	Eid Al-Fitr	Eid Al-Adha
2009	22.Aug.	21.Sept.	28.Nov.
2010	11.Aug.	10.Sept.	15.Nov.
2011	01.Aug.	30.Aug.	6.Nov.
2012	20.July	19.Aug.	26.Oct.
2013	09.July	08.Aug.	15.Oct.
2014	28.June	28.July	4.Oct.

Electricity
 

220 V - 50 Hz. Electrical outlets have two holes for rounded prongs.

Visas
 

Individual travellers can obtain their visa from the Syrian Embassy or consulate in their country of residance. A multiple-entry visa is necessary for travellers who wish to return to Syria after an excursion to Lebanon or Jordan. Nationals of  Europe, Japan, North and South America,  whether travelling in groups or individually, Nawafir Tours can always arrange an entry visa upon arrival at any Syrian port of entry. other nationals please double check with us.

NB: Travellers with passports bearing used or unused Israeli stamps or visas, or exit stamps from Jordanian or Egyptian border crossings with Israel, will not be admitted into Syria, even if carrying a valid Syrian visa.

Entering Syria

Road:	From Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan.
Air:	Damascus and Aleppo International Airports both handle regular flights from Europe, Africa and Asia.  Charter flights may be arranged to Bassel Al Assad Airport in Lattakia.
Sea:	Two major seaports of Tartous & Lattakia.  No regular ferries available.

Money
 

The Syrian Pound or Lira is the currency of Syria, with coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25, and notes in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Most travellers will use one official exchange rate; currently one US Dollar equals approximately 50 Syrian Pounds.  All western currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged into Syrian Pounds at any bank in Syria. Credit cards are only accepted in major hotels, shops, and restaurants in Syria, but due to service charges and exchange rates, it is best to travel with cash in Syria.  ATM machines with international services are available in the main cities in Syria.

Festivals

July:	Syrian Song Festival, Aleppo
August:	Festival of Love & Peace, Lattakia
September:	Assad Library Book Fair, Damascus Grape Festival, Suweida Bosra Festival (every two years) Silk Road Festival
October:	Cotton Festival, Aleppo
November:	Damascus Film Festival (every two years)

Food & Drink

The countries of the Fertile Crescent, including Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, are world renowned for delicious Mediterranean cuisine.  A typical meal will begin with a wide variety of appetizers - mezzeh - followed by grilled meat, chicken or stuffed vegetables. Tea and coffee are served following the meal.  Alcoholic beverages are widely available at top restaurants and hotels.

Nightlife

Major cities have cinemas, bars and nightclubs.  Recommended are the various restaurants in the old quarters of Damascus and Aleppo, which offer excellent Arabic cuisine, waterpipes (known as Arguileh), traditional Arabic music and folkloric dances, all in a warm, exotic atmosphere.

Car Rental

Nawafir makes it easy to rent a car, jeep or four-wheel-drive vehicle, with or without a driver.  An international drivers license is usually required, and in high season advance notice is almost always required as demand for cars often exceeds their availability. 

Vaccinations & Health

For vaccinations, please check with health authorities in your home country before travelling. While travellers may experience mild stomach discomfort or diarrhea, no serious health threats exist in Syria.  Anti-diarrhea medication may be helpful.

Souvenirs

Silk brocades, wooden mosaic handicrafts, brass, copper, jewelry, traditional clothing, beautifully embroidered tablecloths (known as Aghabani), and hand-blown glass.  Duty free shops, which accept payment in foreign currency, may be found at the Damascus International Airport and city center for luxury items.

Useful Information for Travellers

Social Conventions:  While many Syrians do dress in Western style, most Syrians are quite conservative about dress.  As with anywhere, take your cues from those around you.  A handshake is the most appropriate greeting in most occasions, although some ultra-conservative people do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex.  In such cases, an appropriate greeting is to smile, nod slightly, and place your right hand over your heart.  Giving small gifts is appropriate, especially if invited to an Arab home for a meal. Smoking is common and is acceptable in private homes and in public places throughout the country.

Photography:  As a general rule if you want to photograph people it is always better to ask first.  Most importantly, do not take pictures of any government installations, buildings, or anything else that might be considered off-limits to visitors. 

Safety:  Crime and theft are virtually non-existent in Syria, making it a very safe place to travel.  Furthermore, Syrians are modest and not aggressive, so travellers to Syria are unlikely to encounter people whose intentions are less than honest and friendly.  Because the Middle East is highly politicized, Syria is often portrayed unfairly in international media as an unsafe, terrorist country.  Travellers who look beyond this and travel to Syria to see for themselves are always pleasantly surprised to find that Syria is a fascinating, safe and hospitable place.