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Bahrain
Egypt
Iran
Jordan
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Syria
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Syria
Area: 185,180 sq
km (72,150 sq mi)
Population: 17.1 million
Labour
Force: 4.7 million
Capital: Damascus
Head of State: President Bashar al-Asad
Currency: Syrian pound
Local Time: GMT plus 2 hours
(GMT + 3 from 30 March to 30 September).
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)
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.
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
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.
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
www.lonelyplanet.com/
A thorough overview of Syria for
the first time visitor.
www.cia.gov/
The CIA World Factbook provides
in depth facts and figures on all aspects of
Syria.
www.ameinfo.com/
Middle East Business Portal.
Contains country profile of Syria covering a
range of categories. Provides lots of helpful
info and links.
www.zawya.com/
Informative Middle East Business Portal with links
to country specific news.
www.syriatourism.org
Official site for the Syrian Ministry of Tourism.
Provides a range of helpful information
including detailed information on visa requirements.
www.moi-syria.asp
Official site for the Syrian Ministry of
Information
www.syriatoday.com/
English language daily newspaper in Syria.
www.albaath.com/
Arabic language newspaper in Syria.
www.thawra.com/
Arabic language newspaper in Syria. The website also
has the option to read in English and French.
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).
Bahrain
Syria