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Syria |
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| Area: 185,180 sq
km (72,150 sq mi) |
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Population: 17.1 million |
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Labour Force: 4.7 million |
| Capital: Damascus |
| Currency: Syrian pound |
| Local Time: GMT plus 2
hours (GMT + 3 from 30 March to 30 September). |
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Religion: Sunni Muslim 74%,
Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian
(various sects) 10%, Jewish ( only very small
communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo) |
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Geography
Syria is bordered in
the south-west by Lebanon, in the south by Jordan, in the
east by Iraq and in the north by Turkey. You can enter Syria
by road from any of its neighbours or you can enter by air
to Damascus (the main airport) and can get air
connections from there to Aleppo & Latakia airports. There
are also seaport facilities at Latakia and Tartous. |
Language
The official language is Arabic. Most
Syrians also speak another language, which most often, is
French or English. Kurdish is spoken by a small
minority. |
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Business Hours
Government:
8.00am-2.00pm (Sun-Thurs)
Private Sector: 8.30am-2.00pm (Sat-Thurs), 4.00pm-9.00pm
(Sat-Wed)
During the holy month of Ramadan,
working hours are significantly shorter. Friday is the
weekly official holiday. Public holidays include
the key Islamic holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adah and
non-religious holidays include Evacuation Day, on 17
April, and Correctionist Movement Day, on 16 November |
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Visa Requirements
All
visitors to Syria need a visa (except nationals
of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia,
United Arab Emirates and Yemen) and these are
available at consulates or in some cases on
arrival. If there is evidence of a visit to
Israel in your passport, you won't be allowed
entry.
Tourist visas are valid for 15 days and must be
used within one month of being issued.
Extensions are available.
If you decide to stay longer however, you will
need a resident permit from the Ministry of
Interior / Department of Immigration and
Passports. To work, you will need a work permit
issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social
Affairs and this requires a contract for
employment with a local employer. If granted, a
work permit is valid for one year, although this
is renewable.
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Local Customs
It is customary to shake hands on
meeting and on departure. A visitor will be treated with
great courtesy in Syria 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.
As in all Muslim countries, dress should be conservative.
Women should always wear at least knee-length dresses or
suits and shoulders should be covered. Beachwear or shorts
should only be worn by the beach or poolside. Formal
suits are necessary for business.
Islamic law forbids eating pork and drinking alcohol and
in common with the majority of other Middle East countries,
this law is generally followed throughout Syria. Islam also
has a tendency to divide the sexes, and you might find that
some eating establishments only welcome men. Most of these
will, if asked, show you to the 'family room', an area set
aside for women. |
Driving Licenses
For short stays, an
International Driving Permit is required. Green Cards are
not yet accepted in Syria. Insurance is required by law and
a customs certificate is needed. These are available from
touring and automobile clubs. |
| Useful links for further information on
Syria |
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www.lonelyplanet.com/ |
A thorough overview of Syria for
the first time visitor. |
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www.cia.gov/ |
The CIA World Factbook provides
in depth facts and figures on all aspects of
Syria. |
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www.ameinfo.com/ |
Middle East Business Portal.
Contains country profile of Syria covering a
range of categories. Provides lots of helpful
info and links. |
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www.zawya.com/ |
Informative Middle East Business Portal with links
to country specific news. |
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www.syriatourism.org |
Official site for the Syrian Ministry of Tourism.
Provides a range of helpful information
including detailed information on visa requirements. |
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www.moi-syria.asp |
Official site for the Syrian Ministry of
Information |
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www.syriatoday.com/ |
English language daily newspaper in Syria. |
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www.albaath.com/ |
Arabic language newspaper in Syria. |
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www.thawra.com/ |
Arabic language newspaper in Syria. The website also
has the option to read in English and French. |
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news.bbc.co.uk |
The BBC provide good quality profiles on a range of
countries including Syria. Good general background
information on Syria with emphasis on media within
the country (television, Radio, Newspapers, Internet
use). |
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