Has a land of 185.180 k.m², the total population is estimated at 17 million. official name is Syrian Arab republic, the Capital is Damascus, Major cities (Population) –Estimate:

In Syria there are 14 governorates Called Muhfaza, and Damascus governorate is the Capital.

President:
Dr.Bashar Al Assad 

Ethnic Divisions:
Arab 90.3 per cent
Kurd, Armenian, Turkmen, Circassian.
Assyrian, Palestinian 9.7 per cent.

Languages
The main language is Arabic but most of the Syrian people could speak English - French and other languages .
 

Climate :
Syria is part of the Mediterranean climate system with hot summers and cool winters and with precipitation concentrated in winter months .
In Syria you can distinguish the four seasons during the year . The average temperature in

Autumn and Spring between 20-25 degrees In Summer between 30-35 degrees.
In winter between 5-15 degrees.
So winter is moderate and rainy at coastal area , cold at the midlands, but is not considered very cold compared to Europe.
 

Communications 
In Hotels, it is very easy to get long distance phone calls or fax to any distance, and what is interesting is that the charge is less after midnight. Out side the hotel, you can make a phone call in a phone - Cabin which is available everywhere in all the main towns, using the local card necessary, or in one of the postal offices, which are downtown, Now you can use also the special International Phone Cart called Hello Syria even from the telephone of your hotel.

Any way now most of International mobile phone company works here.

Currency:
Local currency is called Syrian Pounds ( Lira )
Its exchange rate in banks is:
 1 $ = 51 S.P.
 1 Euro = 46

Banking 
Banks start dealing at 8.30 till 12.00, but for the exchange offices,
which are in the down town one all main city. it starts at 8.30 till
19.00.  you can find exchange offices also  in 5 & 4 stars hotels around the country.
 

Credit  Cards
A number of shops, restaurants & hotels in Syria now accept the most known credit cards ( Master Cart – Visa – dinners Club – American Express )

Holidays & Working hours 
The official holiday in Syria is Friday on weekly basis, but the holiday of Museums & Historical monuments is on Tuesday. Opening hours of most of them is:

From  9.00 till 16.00 according winter time.
From  9.00 till 18.00 according summer time.
Except Tuesdays.
Shopping available from 9.00 till 20.00 in winter and from 9.00 till
22.00 in summer in old and new souks such as Al Hamidieh,  Midhat
Pasha & Tikya Sulaimanie.

Local Time:
Winter: + 2 Hours G.M.T From 01 Oct. Till 31 of Mar.
Summer: + 3 Hours G.M.T From 01 Apr. Till 31 of Sep.

Night Clubs                                                                                     
You can find night clubs over the country, as well where you can enjoy both dinner and dance, some times you find a show in the night club with a belly dancers Show.

Transportation
Rent a Car: We can help you to find a very comfortable car to move around the country, you can chooses your car according to  your budget.
All road sign for main city & tourist attractions are in English.      
Taxi: are available 24 hours on the main cities. 
It cost approximately from 25 - 100 S.P ( 1/2 - 2 USD ) inside the main cities.
Pullmans & Buses: Inside Syria, you can use the A/C Pullmans a local buss  to move around all cities.
 Fly in Syria: Some of the Syrian cities are reachable by air  ( Domestic flights ) , such as Aleppo , Lattakia , Kameshly , and Deir Ezzor

Airports  
Damascus international airport distance is  35 k.m from the city center.
Aleppo international airport is only 15 K.M from the city. 
Lattakia international airport is 20 K.M from the city. 
You can join the duty-free on departure & arrival also even on domestic fly.

Tourism High season.
15 Mar. Till 14 June.
10 Sep. Till 15 November.
20 Dec. Till 15 January.

Electricity
The Electricity voltage in Syria is 220 volt.

Restaurants & Foods 
All kinds of Restaurants are available in Syria, and most of it open 24 hours, and you never miss the chance to taste the Syrian food specially the  Mazza the Local appetizers, the most common dishes:

Hommos:
Consists of a fine puree of chick peas mixed with tehina (sesame seed paste, lemon juice, garlic and salt and laced with olive oil.
Babaghanouj: A dip made from baked and pureed aubergine which is mixed with tehina.
Often has an interesting burnt taste to it.
Mutabbal: A creamy mixture of pureed aborigine, corrugate or chard with yogurt.
Tabbouleh: A finely chopped mixture of tomatoes, parsley, mixed with burghul ( cracked wheat) and flavored with oil & Lemon Juice.
Fatoush: A  salad which has small pieces of toasted bread added to it.
Kibbeh: Basic kibbeh is a mixture of cracked wheat and minced meat.
Bourek: fried cheese or meat pastries .

Drinking water
Drinking water in Syria is perfectly safe, clean and hygienic. It is derived from natural ground and mountain springs and sources and is treated with the most advanced techniques. Most notable is the Ein al-Fijih source which supplies the city of Damascus with its drinking water. Other mineral water sources are renowned for their purity.

Among these are the Boukein and Dreikish spring water sources available in bottles throughout the county.