Syrian Arab Republic Travel Guide - Key Facts

Middle East.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from 1 April to 1 October).

185,180 sq km (71,498 sq miles).

18.6 million (UN estimate 2005).

100.4 per sq km.

Damascus. Population: 3.5 million (official estimate 2003).

The country can be divided geographically into four main areas: the fertile plain in the northeast, the plateau, coastal and mountain areas in the west, the central plains, and the desert and steppe region in the central and southeastern areas. The Euphrates flows from Turkey in the north, through the Syrian Arab Republic, down to Iraq in the southeast. It is the longest river in the Syrian Arab Republic, the total length being 2,330km (1,450 miles), of which 600km (370 miles) pass through the Syrian Arab Republic. The Khabur River supports the al-Khabur Basin in the northeast.

Republic since 1973. Gained independence in 1946.

President Bashar al-Assad since 2000.

Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Otari since 2003.

In June 2000, after years of failing health, President Assad died. Having fallen out with his brother, Rifaat, some years earlier, and with the accidental death of his eldest son, Basil, in 1994, Assad had selected his second son, Bashar, as heir. While domestic policy has seen something of a relaxation under Bashar, Western hopes that the Syrian Arab Republic would pursue a more pro-Western line have proved misguided - in the vocabulary of the US Bush administration, the Syrian Arab Republic is a ‘state of concern' (one level below the ‘axis of evil'). The Syrians have provided some assistance to the Western ‘War Against Terror' but were strongly opposed to the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Syria pulled its forces out of Lebanon in 2005, after coming under intense international pressure following a UN report that implicated the Syrian Arab Republic in the assassination of former Premier of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri. Both Syria and pro-Syria Lebanese officials were thought to be involved, although this has been strongly denied by Damascus.

Arabic, French and English. Kurdish is spoken by a small minority.

Over 80% Muslim (mostly Sunni), with sizeable Christian (mostly Orthodox and Catholic) groups and Jewish minorities.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs.

The Syrians take as much pride in their modern amenities as in their unique heritage and in the tradition of exquisite craftsmanship, and both should be appreciated. Visitors will enjoy the hospitality that is a deep-rooted Arab tradition and sharing the pleasures of an attractive Oriental way of life. It is customary to shake hands on meeting and on departure. A visitor will be treated with great courtesy and will frequently be offered refreshment, usually coffee. As a guest in someone’s home or, more usually, in a restaurant, visitors should respect Arab customs and traditions. A souvenir from the visitor’s home or company is well received. Conservative casual wear is suitable. Beachwear or shorts should not be worn away from the beach or poolside. Smoking follows Western habits and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke. Smoking is prohibited in public from dawn to dusk during Ramadan.

Photography: No attempt should be made to photograph anything remotely connected with the armed forces or in the vicinity of defence installations, which even includes radio transmission aerials. It is wise to take a good look at what will be appearing in the background before pointing the camera.