Overview for Country
Syria is one of the larger states of the Middle East and has its capital in Damascus. With a population of 21,906,000 people - of which 6 million are concentrated in the capital Damascus, Syria is a moderately large country (185,180 sq km or 72,150 sq miles) in many ways. Syria is situated centrally within the Middle East region and has land borders with Turkey in the north, with Israel and Lebanon in the south, and with Iraq and Jordan in the east and south-east respectively. In addition, the country has a short coastline on the east Mediterranean Sea.
Best Time to Visit
Syria's climate is largely affected by the desert, with hot, sunny summers (June to August) and cold winters (December to February). Winters are milder along the coast, but wet, and humidity is higher in summer. Snowfall is common in winter on the mountains. Summer temperatures can reach in excess of 95°F (35°C) during the day, but evenings are generally cool. Spring and autumn are the best times to travel with milder temperatures, averaging 72°F (22°C) during the day.
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Visas
Entry will be refused to citizens of Israel and travelers with any evidence of having visited Israel (which includes stamps of Egyptian/Jordanian neighboring land borders with Israel in addition to Israeli visas and entry stamps), any products with Hebrew labeling, etc. Passports are slavishly checked for Israeli stamps page-by-page at the border, so you if you have an Israeli stamp, then you will need to get a new passport. Application for a Syrian Visa is best accomplished at your local Consulate.
Religious Etiquette
The Syrian Republic is officially secular. Nonetheless, it is greatly influenced by the majority religion of Islam (80% of the population, split between 74% Sunni Muslim and 16% other Muslim, Alawites and Druze). There is a large Christian minority that amounts to about 10% of the population. Although they are used to Western ways, you should try to be respectful. This means Muslim conventions are best respected:
- Women and men should make an effort to cover their legs and arms.
- It is regarded as disrespectful to show public affection.
- Be discreet when drinking alcohol.
- During Ramadan -- the month of fasting -- travelers should avoid eating and drinking during the daytime. Also, be sure not to smoke in front of people, nor chew gum, and it is polite to avoid talking about the nice lunch you had.