LOCATION
In the Middle East, along the Mediterranean sea, between Turkey and
Lebanon.
POPULATION
19. 338 527 ( July 2000 )
TOTAL AREA
185180 km2
( 1 295 km2 of Israeli-occupied territory )
GOVERNMENT
Syrian Arab Republic,
capital : Damascus
President: Dr.Bashar El Asad
Vice President: Abd Al Halim Khadddam
Prime Minister: Dr.Mohammed Moustafa Miro
LANGUAGE
Arabic ( official )
Kurdish
Armenian
Arameic
Circassian
French & English widely understood
RELIGIONS
Muslim 80 %
Christian 12 %
Others 8 %
LAND BOUNDARIES
Turkey ( 822 km )
Iraq ( 605 km )
Jordan ( 375 km )
Lebanon ( 375 km )
COASTLINE
193 km
CLIMATE
Mostly desert, hot and dry, sunny summers (June to August ) and mild,
rainy winters (December to February ) along the coast.
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CULTURE AND ART
-The Palmyra Festival
(1st week of May.
-The Film Festival (November )
-The Damascus Flower Exhibition (first week of July)
-The International Trade Fair (last two weeks of August)
-The International Book Fair (last week of September)
-The Bosra Musical Festival (end of August)
SECURITY
Syria has an almost non-existent urban crime-rate and visitors who walk
off the beaten track will only find the famous Syrian hospitality.
CURRENCY
You can bring in and out as much currency as you wish as
long as you declare it at the airport. Travelers paper
cheque
and credit cards
are also welcome. The currency of Syria is the Syrian Pound which you can
purchase on arrival in Syria.
BUSINESS HOURS
From 8 a. m. to 2 p. m. for the sector of public services and for private
offices from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m. and from 5 p. m. to 8 p. m. .
HEALTH
No special precautions are required, no obligatory vaccinations. Medical
help is easily available and of an excellent level. Most doctors have
studied abroad.
SHOPPING
Carpets, silk and cotton adorned with embroidery, brass objects such as
swords, statues, ... , mosaic boxes, gold and silver jewels, brocades, ...
PASSPORT
No Israeli visa or stamps and a 6-month validity of passport is required
from the date of departure in Syria.
VISA
Visas are easily granted by all Syrian Embassies. For groups of min. 8
persons, visas can be obtained upon arrival or through a travel agency. |
