Syria. Natural resources of Syria

Syria is a country in the Middle East, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea from Lebanon to Turkey. Due to its strategically important location, Syria has been at the crossroads of important trade routes between the countries of the Middle East for many centuries; today it is a major factor in Middle East politics and tensions in Arab-Israeli relations. Its territory is 185.2 thousand square meters. km (Golan Heights - about 1370 sq. km, occupied by Israel since 1967).

The territory of Syria is divided into a western coastal zone, surrounded by a narrow double mountain range, and a larger zone in the east, which is a plateau. Dry climate dominates; About three-fifths of the country's total area receives less than 25 cm of precipitation per year. The country's most important natural resource is fertile soil, and numerous attempts have been made to increase the cultivable area through irrigation.

In the north, Syria borders with Turkey (border length 845 km), in the west with Lebanon (356 km) and Israel (74 km), in the east with Iraq (596 km), in the south with Jordan (356 km). In the northwest, for 183 km, the country's territory is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The maximum length from east to west is 793 km, from south to north – 431 km. Since 1963, the republic has been under the control of the Baath Party. The modern statehood of Syria dates back a little over 60 years, but civilization arose here in the fourth millennium BC. The capital is Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. According to Baedeker, Damascus is the oldest existing capital in the world.

Relief of Syria

Most of Syria is an elevated plateau, the height of which above sea level ranges from 200 to 700 m. The western part of the plateau has a rather pronounced mountainous terrain. Here there are 2 ridges of mountain ranges, separated by a longitudinal depression - the Syrian graben 15-20 km wide; The El Asi (Orontes) river flows along its bottom. One of these massifs, located in the west, is called Ansaria, its highest point reaches 1562 m. This massif is almost parallel to the sea coast of the country.

A narrow coastal plain stretches along the Mediterranean Sea from Turkey to Lebanon. The surface of this littoral zone is covered with sand dunes, which are only occasionally interrupted by hills sloping from the mountains to the sea. Syria claims territorial waters in the Mediterranean Sea at a distance of 35 nautical miles (65 km) from the coast.

Mountainous terrain in northern SyriaThe Jabal An-Nusairiyah mountain range, which runs along the coast, has an average height of more than 1,212 meters; the highest peak of Nabi Younis is about 1575 meters high. The western slopes, blown by moist winds from the sea, are more fertile and densely populated than the eastern slopes, which receive only the hot, dry wind from the desert. Even before the Lebanese border and the Anti-Lebanon mountains, the Jebel An-Nusairiyah mountain range is interrupted, forming a corridor in which the city of Homs is located; there are also highways and Railway from Homs to the Lebanese port of Tripoli. To the east of the Jebel An-Nusairiyah ridge stretches another chain - Jebel Az-Zawiya, between which is the Al-Ghab valley with fertile lands irrigated by the winding Orontes River.

In the south, the Anti-Lebanon Mountains reach heights of over 2,700 meters near the Syrian-Lebanese border and extend eastward towards the plateau. On the eastern slopes there is little rainfall and vegetation; the mountains there gradually turn into desert.

To the southwest, the majestic Mount Hermon (Jebel Al-Sheikh), also straddling the border between Syria and Lebanon, descends onto the Horan plateau, blown by humid Mediterranean air and lying south of Damascus and east of Anti-Lebanon. To the southwest of Horan is the elevated volcanic region of the Jebel Druz mountain range (renamed Jebel Al Arab), home to the country's Druze population.

The entire region of the eastern plateau is crossed by a low chain of mountains of Jebel Al-Ruwaq, Jebel Abu Rujmain and Jebel Bishri, stretching in a north-easterly direction from Jebel Al-Arab to the Euphrates River. To the south of these mountains lies the arid Hamad Desert. North of Jabal Ar-Ruwaq and east of Homs is another desert - the Homs Desert. All of the deserts listed are part of the greater Syrian Desert.

Northeast of the Euphrates, which rises in the mountains of Turkey and flows through Syria into Iraq, lies the fertile region of Jazeera, washed by tributaries of the Euphrates. Successful irrigation projects were carried out in the area in the 1960s and 1970s, and today the area is a center for cereal and cotton crops. The economic potential of Jazeera has increased significantly due to the discovery of oil and natural gas in the very north of the region.

Climate of Syria

The climate of Syria is subtropical, Mediterranean type. In the area of ​​the Mediterranean coast, the climate is maritime, with high rainfall; in the center of the country it is dry, continental. In the central part of the country, dry and hot summers give way to cold, harsh winters. There are sharp fluctuations in winter and summer temperatures, temperature fluctuations at night and during the day.

High average annual air temperatures are typical for almost the entire country (for the Mediterranean coast + 19 degrees, the southeastern part of Syria - more than + 20 degrees, the rest of + 15-20 degrees). Only in mountainous areas located at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level, the average annual temperature does not reach +15 degrees.

Precipitation is distributed extremely unevenly across the country. Their greatest number is typical for the western and northern regions of the country, and in the eastern and southern regions their number sharply decreases. The greatest amount of precipitation is typical for the Mediterranean coast of Syria (600-900 mm per year, and on the slopes of the Ansaria mountain range - 1500 mm) and the mountainous regions of the country (over 1000 mm per year). In areas located inland, the amount of precipitation is reduced to 500 mm per year, because... mountain barriers prevent moist sea winds from penetrating there. On the steppe plateaus in the southeastern part of Syria, precipitation is reduced to 250-100 mm.

In Syria, the prevailing winds are western and northwestern directions, which carry moisture from the Mediterranean Sea. However, in spring, early summer and autumn, a hot wind blows from the Arabian desert - khamsin. It carries with it a huge amount of sand dust and raises the temperature by 10 - 15 degrees.

Water resources of Syria

Waterways in Syria play a vital role in agricultural development. The rivers of Syria mainly belong to the basins of the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. The longest and most important river is the Euphrates (in Arabic - Shattel-Firat), which accumulates more than 80% of all the country's water resources. The Euphrates begins in Turkey and crosses Syria from northwest to southeast for 675 km, after which it heads to Iraq. The width of the Euphrates Valley in Syria ranges from 4 to 15 km. In Syria, the Euphrates receives 2 left tributaries: Khabur (460 km) and Belikh (105 km). The right tributaries of the Euphrates fill with water only in spring and are called wadis. In previous years, the water level was mostly unstable, and frequent floods occurred, especially during the snowmelt period.

In 1973, the construction of the Tabaqah Dam (completed in 1973 and known simply as the Euphrates Dam) was completed in Syria. The dam forms a reservoir, Lake El Assad (about 80 km long and 8 km on average wide), which is used to irrigate cotton.

El Asi is the second largest river in Syria. It originates in Lebanon (in the Baalbek mountains) and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. El Asi flows through Syria for 325 km, crossing the country from south to north. This river is fed by mountain springs, melted snow and has significant reserves of water. The fertile plains of Homs, Hama, and El-Ghab are irrigated by the waters of this river. In some places the river forms lakes and swamps. The largest lake is Homs, the swamps are Asharna and Ghab. Syria's state border with Turkey and Iraq runs along the Tigris River (in Arabic Ed-Dijla) for 50 km. In the southwest of Syria flows the Barada River (71 km), which flows into Lake Buhair al-Utaiba. The waters of the Barada River irrigate the territory of the Damascus Ghouta oasis, where the capital of Syria, Damascus, is located. Syria also owns the right bank of the Yarmouk River, which borders Jordan.

The Orontes River also has great economic and historical significance.

On the arid plateau east of Damascus, oases, streams, several inland rivers draining into swamps and small lakes provide water for the needs of irrigated agriculture. The most significant of the rivers of Barada originates in the mountains of Anti-Lebanon and is lost in the sands of the desert. Barada forms the oasis of Al Ghouta, one of the landmarks of Damascus.

Flora and fauna of Syria

The vegetation in most of the country is desert and semi-desert in nature. It is represented by cereals, prickly herbs and shrubs, wormwood, astragalus, and spring ephemerals. The coastal strip of Syria is dominated by Mediterranean vegetation: evergreen oaks, laurels, myrtles, oleanders, and small cedar groves. There are many plantings of olive and mulberry trees, figs, citrus fruits, and grapes.

Evergreen oaks and cypresses grow in the mountains; the higher parts of the mountains are covered with alpine vegetation. On the western slopes of the Ansaria ridge there are broad-leaved oak forests, as well as shrubs and low trees - scrub oaks and junipers, cypresses, pines, and cedar groves. On the eastern slopes of the Ansaria, Anti-Lebanon and Esh-Sheikh ranges, shrubby mountain steppes predominate, turning into semi-deserts in the lower mountain belt. Oases in the southeast are dominated by date palm and citrus fruits. Horticulture and viticulture are developed, cotton and subtropical crops are cultivated. In the Euphrates Valley, the remains of floodplain forests of poplar, tamarisk, and weeping Babylonian willow have been preserved.

The fauna of Syria is relatively poor. The existence of small animals such as porcupine, hedgehog, squirrel, and hare is maintained at a minimum level. The most common species are rodents (gerbils, jerboas), predators (striped hyena, steppe lynx, panther, jackal), ungulates (onager, antelope, gazelle), reptiles (agama lizard, steppe boa), many snakes and chameleons.

Many migratory birds settle for the winter in the Euphrates Valley and in some other areas of the country where there are open bodies of water. There you can find colonies of flamingos and storks. Seagulls and herons nest there as well. Ducks, geese, and pelicans live on the banks of rivers and lakes. There are many birds in cities and villages - sparrows, pigeons, larks, cuckoos. Common birds of prey include eagles, falcons, hawks, and owls.

Population and culture of Syria

Syria's population is about 22 million. The majority of the population is concentrated along the banks of the Euphrates and on the Mediterranean coast. The total population density is 103 people/km2. In Syria, education is guaranteed free from 6 to 11 years of age and is compulsory. 12 years of schooling consist of 6 years primary school, three years of general education and another three years of special training required for admission to the university. Literacy among Syrians over 15 years of age is 86% for men and 73.6% for women. Average life expectancy is 70 years.

Syrian Arabs (including about 400 thousand Palestinian refugees) make up about 90% of the country's population. The largest national minority, the Kurds, make up 9% of the Syrian population. Most Kurds live in the north of the country, many still use the Kurdish language. There are also Kurdish communities in all major cities. The second largest national minority is the Armenians, who make up 2-3% of the country's population. 75% of Syrian Armenians live in Aleppo, 15% in Damascus.

Circassians, who are descendants of Muslim migrants from the Caucasus, and Turkmens, who are primarily engaged in semi-nomadic cattle breeding and agriculture, also live in Syria. Half of the Circassians, before the destruction of the administrative center by the Israelis, lived in the province of Quneitra, many of whom later moved to Damascus. 90% of the population of Syria are Muslims, 10% are Christians. Of the Muslims, 87% are Sunnis, the remaining 13% are Alawites and Ismailis, as well as Shiites, the number of which has been constantly increasing since 2003 due to the flow of refugees from Iraq. Among Christians, half are Syrian Orthodox, 18% are Catholics (mainly members of the Syrian Catholic and Melkite Catholic churches). There are significant communities of the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox churches.

The official and most common language is Arabic. In the northern regions of the country, Kurdish is often used. The most common languages ​​also include Armenian, Adyghe (Circassian) and Turkmen. In certain areas there are various dialects of Aramaic. Among foreign languages the most popular are Russian, French and English.

Being one of the oldest states in the world, Syria has become the cradle of many civilizations and cultures. Ugaritic cuneiform and one of the first forms of writing, Phoenician (XIV century BC), originated in Syria. Syrian scientists and artists made a significant contribution to the development of Hellenistic and Roman culture. Among them are Antiochus of Ascalon, Titus Livius and Plutarch. In modern Syrian society, special attention is paid to the institution of family and religion, as well as education.

Modern life in Syria is closely intertwined with ancient traditions. Thus, in the old quarters of Damascus, Aleppo and other Syrian cities, living quarters are preserved, located around one or more courtyards, usually with a fountain in the center, with citrus orchards, vines, and flowers. Outside of large cities, residential areas are often combined into small towns. The buildings in such areas are generally very old (often several hundred years old) and are constantly passed down from generation to generation.

The Syrians made significant contributions to the development of Arabic literature, especially poetry, and music. Syrian writers of the 19th century, many of whom later immigrated to Egypt, made a decisive contribution to the revival of Arab culture (a kind of “analogue” of the Renaissance in Europe - Nahda). The most famous Syrian writers of the 20th century who made the greatest contribution to pan-Arab culture include Adonis, Ghada al-Samman, Nizar Qabbani and Zakariyya Tamer. Cinema in Syria is not very developed, partly due to the fact that it is entirely in the hands of the state. On average, the Syrian National Film Organization produces 1-2 films per year, which are very often censored. As a rule, banned films receive prizes at international film festivals. Notable directors include Amirali Omar, Osama Mohammed and Abdel Hamid. Many Syrian filmmakers work abroad. However, in the 70s, Syrian-produced series were popular in the Arab world.

From 2000 to 2008, the number of Internet users in Syria grew from 30,000 to 1 million. However, authorities block Internet users' access to sites such as YouTube, Blogspot and Facebook, as well as to the sites of Kurdish and Islamist parties.

Before Syria gained independence, more than 90% of its population was illiterate. Free and compulsory primary education was introduced in 1950. Currently, there are about 10 thousand primary and more than 2.5 thousand secondary schools in Syria; 267 vocational schools (including 77 industrial, 65 trade, 18 agricultural and veterinary, and 107 women's); 4 universities.

Damascus University was founded in 1903. It is a leading university educational institution in the country. The second most important is the university in Aleppo, founded in 1946 as the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Damascus, but in 1960 it became an independent educational institution. In 1971, Tishrin University (Teshrin) was established in Latakia. The youngest university was founded in Homs - Al-Baath University. Besides, a large number of Syrians receive higher education abroad, mainly in Russia and France.

The current demographic situation in the country is directly related to the process of urbanization. Urban population growth occurs primarily in large cities. This situation is explained by the fact that in Lately There is a significant outflow of rural residents to large cities and regional centers. An increase in the number of members of peasant families is not, as a rule, accompanied by an expansion of land allotment, as a result of which the labor productivity of those employed in the family farm decreases, periods of forced unemployment lengthen, dependence on side earnings increases, etc. The natural increase in the rural population increases the size of the agrarian overpopulation and encourages rural residents to migrate to cities.

The ratio between the economically active and total population of the country is expressed by a threefold preponderance of the latter. This phenomenon is inherent in the demographic situation in the country throughout the last 20 years. In practice, this means that for every employed person there are on average three dependents. Such a high “demographic load” determines the relatively low level of the population involved in production and the low coefficient of productive use of national labor resources. Since by 2000 Syria, according to the plans of its leadership, should become a country of complete literacy (primary education is already considered compulsory) and since with an increase in the educational and cultural level in society there is a certain tendency towards a reduction in the birth rate, Syrian demographers suggest some possible slowdown in growth rates population of the country. But there are also a number of factors that have the opposite effect on these rates. Thus, these include, for example, urbanization, since in urban conditions the health care system functions much better than in rural areas, and, consequently, the mortality rate in general, and in children in particular, decreases. Eliminating illiteracy, especially among women, leads to the same results, since it has been established that an illiterate mother, who also does not have basic sanitary and hygienic skills, due to lack of proper care children die 2 times more often than those of a literate person.

Source - http://ru.wikipedia.org/

The Syrian Arab Republic is located in South-West Asia, or as it is commonly called, in the Middle East. Its territory is 185.2 thousand square meters. km (Golan Heights - about 1370 sq. km, occupied by Israel since 1967).

In the north, Syria borders with Turkey (border length 845 km), in the west with Lebanon (356 km) and Israel (74 km), in the east with Iraq (596 km), in the south with Jordan (356 km).

In the northwest, for 183 km, the country's territory is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The maximum length from east to west is 793 km, from south to north – 431 km.

Most of Syria is an elevated plateau, the height of which above sea level ranges from 200 to 700 m. The western part of the plateau has a rather pronounced mountainous terrain. Here there are 2 ridges of mountain ranges, separated by a longitudinal depression - the Syrian graben 15-20 km wide; The El Asi (Orontes) river flows along its bottom. One of these massifs, located in the west, is called Ansaria, its highest point reaches 1562 m. This massif is almost parallel to the sea coast of the country.

To the east of the El-Ghab depression stretches a group of mountain ranges: Jebel Akard, Ez-Zawiya, Jebel al-Sharqi and others. The slopes of these massifs drop steeply towards the El-Gab tectonic depression.

In the northeast direction, low ridges extend from the Jebel al-Sharqi mountain range, some of which reach the Euphrates. These are the so-called Palmyrene mountain folds.

The eastern, most of the territory of Syria, is occupied by a plateau 500-800 m high. Its southeastern part is called the Syrian Desert (a plateau with a monotonous landscape, also extending into the territory of Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia; its height above sea level is 650 m), and the northeastern one is the Jedira Desert. The surface of the desert is covered with a network of small valleys - wadis, often lost in vast depressions, in poorly defined folds of the relief. On the plateau there are groups of extinct volcanoes and individual flat-topped massifs. In the southwest of Syria, on the border with Jordan, the Ed-Druz massif stands out, in current Syrian cartography called Jebel al-Arab. The highest peak of this massif, Mount El Jeina, reaches 1803 m.

Separated by mountain ranges from the interior of the country, the coastal plain, stretching from the Turkish border to Lebanon, is a narrow strip of land (no more than 32 km at its widest part), which in several places almost completely disappears when the mountains directly reach the Mediterranean Sea.

The climate of Syria is subtropical, Mediterranean type. In the area of ​​the Mediterranean coast, the climate is maritime, with high rainfall; in the center of the country it is dry, continental. In the central part of the country, dry and hot summers give way to cold, harsh winters. There are sharp fluctuations in winter and summer temperatures, temperature fluctuations at night and during the day.

High average annual air temperatures are typical for almost the entire country (for the Mediterranean coast + 19 degrees, the southeastern part of Syria - more than + 20 degrees, the rest of + 15-20 degrees). Only in mountainous areas located at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level, the average annual temperature does not reach +15 degrees.

Precipitation is distributed extremely unevenly across the country. Their greatest number is typical for the western and northern regions of the country, and in the eastern and southern regions their number sharply decreases. The greatest amount of precipitation is typical for the Mediterranean coast of Syria (600-900 mm per year, and on the slopes of the Ansaria mountain range - 1500 mm) and the mountainous regions of the country (over 1000 mm per year). In areas located inland, the amount of precipitation is reduced to 500 mm per year, because... mountain barriers prevent moist sea winds from penetrating there. On the steppe plateaus in the southeastern part of Syria, precipitation is reduced to 250-100 mm.

In Syria, the prevailing winds are western and northwestern directions, which carry moisture from the Mediterranean Sea. However, in spring, early summer and autumn, a hot wind blows from the Arabian desert - khamsin. It carries with it a huge amount of sand dust and raises the temperature by 10 - 15 degrees.

The rivers of Syria mainly belong to the basins of the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. The largest river in Syria is the Euphrates (in Arabic - Shattel-Firat). It starts in Turkey and crosses Syria from northwest to southeast for 675 km, after which it heads to Iraq. The width of the Euphrates Valley in Syria ranges from 4 to 15 km. In Syria, the Euphrates receives 2 left tributaries: Khabur (460 km) and Belikh (105 km). In previous years, the water level was mostly unstable, and frequent floods occurred, especially during the snowmelt period. However, since 1973, a giant dam built with the assistance of the USSR has made it possible to regulate the river’s flow.

El Asi is the second largest river in Syria. It originates in Lebanon (in the Baalbek mountains) and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. El Asi flows through Syria for 325 km, crossing the country from south to north. This river is fed by mountain springs, melted snow and has significant reserves of water. The fertile plains of Homs, Hama, and El-Ghab are irrigated by the waters of this river. In some places the river forms lakes and swamps. The largest lake is Homs, the swamps are Asharna and Ghab.

Syria's state border with Turkey and Iraq runs along the Tigris River (in Arabic Ed-Dijla) for 50 km.

In the southwest of Syria flows the Barada River (71 km), which flows into Lake Buhair al-Utaiba. The waters of the Barada River irrigate the territory of the Damascus Ghouta oasis, where the capital of Syria, Damascus, is located. Syria also owns the right bank of the Yarmouk River, which borders Jordan.

Geographical position

Official name - Syrian Arab Republic . The state is located in the Middle East, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The length of the coastline is about 175 km. The country borders on Turkey in the north, Iraq in the east, Jordan and Israel in the south, and Lebanon in the west.

The total area of ​​the country is 185.1 thousand square meters. km. Of these, 1,295 sq. km. The territory of the country (Golan Heights) has been occupied by Israel since 1967.

The Ansaria mountain range divides the country into a wet western part and a dry eastern part. In northwestern Syria there is a fertile coastal plain that extends 130 km from north to south along the Mediterranean coast.

Most of the country's territory is located on an arid plateau, which is dotted with mountain ranges.

The average height of the plateau above sea level ranges from 200 to 700 meters. To the north of the mountains is the Hamad Desert, to the south is Homs.

In the east, the country's territory is crossed by the Euphrates. A dam was built in the upper reaches of the river in 1973. It caused the formation of a reservoir, which is called El-Assad. This lake is about 80 km long and 8 km wide on average.

The Euphrates is the country's longest and most important river. It contains more than 80% of all its water resources. Its main left tributaries Balikh and Khabur are also large rivers.

Syria has a subtropical Mediterranean climate on the coast and a dry continental climate in the interior.

The average January temperature ranges from +4 °C in the eastern regions to +12 °C on the coast. The average temperature in July ranges from +33 °C to +26 °C, respectively. The best time to visit the country is considered to be from the beginning of autumn to the end of spring.

Precipitation in the eastern regions is 100-300 mm, in the mountains and on the Mediterranean coast - up to 1000 mm. in year. Their maximum number occurs at the end of November - December and February - early March.

Visas, entry rules, customs rules

Citizens of Russia and the CIS require a visa to visit Syria. To apply for a tourist visa, you need to contact the consular department of the Syrian Embassy located in Moscow.

Visa documents must be submitted in person, through an authorized representative or through a travel agency. The visa is usually issued within 3-7 working days. But sometimes this process can take up to 10-14 business days. Long time An application submitted by an unmarried woman under 35 years of age who is traveling unaccompanied by a man (brother, father) may be considered.
Initially, an entry visa is issued for a period of up to 14 days. You can extend your stay in the country to three months at the main office of the Syrian Immigration Department in Damascus. There is no fee for this. For tourist and transit visas, a consular fee of 20 US dollars is charged. It is paid at the consulate when submitting an application. In case of visa refusal, the fee is not refunded. Children who are included in the parent's passport are exempt from paying the consular fee.
You can obtain a tourist or transit visa upon arrival in the country at Damascus airport. This can also be done at any land border crossing with any of the neighboring countries. The exception is Israel, the border with it is closed.
When going through border control, you need to fill out an immigration card, which will need to be returned when leaving the country.
As proof of the purpose of the trip, you must have return tickets, or a visa to the country of final destination, an invitation from a Syrian travel agency or private individual, or confirmation of a hotel reservation.
It is impossible to obtain a Syrian visa for those who have Israeli visas in their passports, any Israeli marks, a stamp on exit from points bordering Israel (Aqaba, King Hussein Bridge in Jordan, Taba, Rafah, etc.).
Syrian border guards may be suspicious of a foreign passport received in Cairo or Amman.
Movement around the country is free. You can travel to the southwest of Syria, near the border with Israel, only with a special permit, which is issued in advance in the capital.
The import and export of foreign currency is limited to the amount of 5 thousand dollars. Money must be declared if the dollar equivalent of the imported amount exceeds 2000. The export of local currency is prohibited.
You can import small amounts of tobacco products, alcohol, perfume, personal items and gifts into the country duty-free.
It is prohibited to import weapons and ammunition, drugs, video and printed materials into the country that contradict Islamic norms and threaten public order.
Audio, video, television equipment and electronic devices must be included in the customs declaration. For televisions, a special form must be filled out. The gold import limit is 500 grams. The same amount of gold can be taken out of the country, but you will need to present receipts of purchase. Receipts will also be needed for the export of machine-made carpets, household appliances, antiques, crystal, etc. if there is no receipt, you will have to pay a tax of 10-25% of the cost of the goods.
You should not bring into the country items that directly or indirectly indicate a visit to Israel.

Population, political status

The country's population is about 17.5 million people. Ethnic composition of the population: mainly Arabs (Syrians, tribal divisions are maintained), Kurds (6.5%), Armenians (3%), Turks (0.5%), Circassians and Chechens (together about 0.5%), Iranians , Assyrians, etc. There are also about 300 thousand Palestinians in Syria.
Syria represents presidential republic with highly centralized power. The head of state is the president. The legislative body is the People's Council or Majlis al-Shaab. It consists of 250 seats.
Executive power belongs to the Council of Ministers, its members are appointed by the president.
Administratively, the country's territory is divided into 13 provinces ("governor") and the equivalent municipality of Damascus.
The official language is Arabic. English, Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian and French are also widely spoken in the country. Many Syrians speak Russian well.
The President is usually general secretary Ba'ath Party. His candidacy is nominated by this party, and then submitted by parliament to a popular referendum. The president is elected for a term of 7 years; there are no restrictions on the number of consecutive terms in power. The president of the country has the right to appoint the cabinet of ministers.
The President also determines foreign policy country and is the supreme commander of the armed forces. According to the country's constitution, the president must be a Muslim, although Islam is not the state religion.
The legislative power in the country is represented by the People's Council. Members of Parliament are directly elected for a 4-year term.
The judicial system is based on a combination of Islamic, Ottoman and French traditions. There are three levels of courts: the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, which is the highest authority.

What to see

Damascus is the capital of Syria and one of the most ancient cities in the world. In addition, it is also the oldest of the “active” capitals of the planet. This city was first mentioned in chronicles in the 15th century. BC e.
It arose at the intersection of caravan routes and was a large trading center.
"Old city"Damascus is unique object, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here, the ancient quarters and Via Pecta ("Straight Street") are of great interest to tourists. The Umayyad Mosque dates back to the 8th century and is the largest mosque in the world. It is famous for its unique mosaics.
The mausoleum of Salah ad-Din was built in 1193. It contains the ashes of the legendary Sultan, who began the expulsion of the Crusaders from the East. Qasr al-Azem Palace was built in 1749. It was the residence of the Turkish Vali, and currently houses the Museum of Art and Folk Traditions.
The head of the saint is kept in the shrine of St. John the Baptist. The underground church of St. Ananias is famous for the fact that the Apostle Paul was baptized here.
The Takiya al-Sulaymaniyah Mosque, which dates back to 1554, is considered one of the most beautiful in the Arab world.
In Damascus, it is worth visiting the famous Souq al-Hamidiya with the caravanserai of Khan Asaad Pasha and the largest spice market, Bzuria.
Seyida-Zeinab is the tomb of the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad, daughter of Caliph Ali. Seyida-Rukiya is the tomb of the granddaughter of Caliph Ali, daughter of Hussein. Many historical figures are buried at the Bab al-Saghir cemetery.
The Magarat ad-Damm cave is interesting because it was in it that Cain killed his brother.
There are many museums in the city, both private and public. It is worth visiting the National Museum, which is famous for its collection of unique exhibits of ancient civilizations from Mesopotamia to Phenicia and other interesting collections.
The Military Museum has one of the richest collections of ancient and medieval weapons in the world. Bimaristan is a hospital and medical academy of medieval Damascus, which is now a museum of the history of medicine and contains rare exhibits.
In the vicinity of Damascus there are such famous resort places as Zabadani, Bludan, Madaya, Bukain, etc. 22 km away. from Damascus the Orthodox monastery of the Sednai Mother of God is located. It is famous for its miraculous icon, painted according to legend by St. Luke himself.
In the town of Maaloula, the convent of St. Thekla and the Church of St. Sergius or Mar Sarkis are interesting. Maaloula and 2 surrounding villages are the only place in the world where the language of Jesus Christ - Western Aramaic - is still spoken.
160 km. north of Damascus is Homs, which is famous for the Ibn al-Walid mosque with two minarets and the tomb of this legendary Arab commander.
120 km. south of the capital is the city of Bosra. It was the capital of the Roman province of Arabia. Almost all the structures here were built from black basalt. The main attraction of the city is the Roman theater, which is very well preserved. It is interesting because in the 5th century it was fortified and turned into a citadel. 9 towers were built around the building.
Here you can visit a magnificent theater that seats 15 thousand. In 1980, Bosra was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Aleppo (Aleppo) is the second largest city in the country and one of the oldest settlements on the planet. Its history goes back more than 5 thousand years. This city lies 360 km. north of Damascus and is the ancient center of the Great Silk Road.
The old districts of Jade and Taiba with dozens of medieval buildings are worth visiting here. Many of them date back to the 15th century. One of the attractions of this city is the old covered markets, which stretch for 12 km.
It is recommended to visit the Aleppo Citadel (12th century), which was built on the site of an ancient acropolis. She happens to be the best example medieval Arab fortification art.
The Jami-Kykan Mosque was built in the 13th century. A stone block with Hittite writings was built into its wall. He once helped decipher the Hittite language.
The Archaeological Museum of Aleppo is interesting with exhibits from the excavations of the ancient Mesopotamian cities of Mari, Ebla and Ugarit. There are many sculptures and bas-reliefs that once decorated the portal of the royal palace in the Aramaic Guzan. The Old City of Aleppo has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Around Aleppo on small area Over a hundred settlements have survived, dating back to the 4th-6th centuries. Some of them are very well preserved.
Interesting are the dozens of palaces from different eras that are scattered throughout the desert areas around Aleppo.
The ancient dam at Kharbak is a majestic structure, a magnificent example of the irrigation systems of antiquity.
The city of Hama is located between Aleppo and Damascus. It is famous for its huge wooden water-lifting wheels "Norias", the diameter of which reaches 20 meters. They are the oldest mechanisms that still serve people. The mosques of al-Jami al-Kabir, Abu al-Fida and al-Nuri (12th century) and the Azem Palace (18th century) with a museum also deserve the attention of tourists here. 55 km. to the northwest are the ruins of the ancient city of Apamea. It was founded in 300 BC. e. first monarch of the Seleucid dynasty.
40 km. south of Aleppo you can visit the ruins of Ebla (Tel Mardih). This city was the capital of the state in the 2nd millennium BC. Here archaeologists discovered a palace library that contained over 17 thousand clay tablets.
Palmyra (Tadmor) - capital ancient state. This city is located in the heart of the Syrian Desert. The first mentions of it are found in the 20th century BC. e.
Now there is a huge archaeological site here. Here you can see temple complex Bela (Baal), the large Colonnade, the baths, the Senate, the theater and other public buildings of the Greek period. There is also a valley of tombs with unique “multi-layer burials” Hypogeum and several dozen burial towers.
The Palmyra Museum with its archaeological collection and the ruins of the Arab guard fortress of Kalat ibn Maan are also worth a visit. In 1980, all of Palmyra was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
160 km. north of Palmyra is the city of Rasafa (ancient Sergiopolis). This dead city in the desert is famous for the fact that St. Sergius was executed and buried here. Here you can see well-preserved ancient walls, part of the streets and large buildings, including the partially restored Basilica of St. Sergius and the Rasafa Palace.
The city of Kanavat (ancient Kanaf) is famous for its ruins of basilicas of the 6th century, which were rebuilt from the ancient temples of Helios (2nd century).
Krak des Chevaliers (Kalaat al-Hosn, 1150-1250) - this castle at one time served as the residence of the Grand Master of the Hospitaller Order. It stands on a high hill in the Bukeya valley. This castle is known for its enormous size and original defensive structures. Its area is about 3 thousand square meters. m. This castle was the most formidable building of its time.
Arvad is a picturesque island where the Crusaders held out the longest.
The Qala'at Salah ad-Din citadel is one of the most impressive crusader castles. It is unique because... entirely carved from a rock monolith. Although the castle was considered impregnable, it was taken in just three days by the legendary Sultan Salah ad-Din (Saladin).
Al-Markab (medieval Margat) is a huge crusader citadel made of black basalt. It is located above the ancient Phoenician seaport of Banyas, 6 km. southeast of the modern city. This huge structure has 14 towers and is located 500 m above sea level.
The coastal Syrian resorts of Syria are a popular destination. They are located on the hills and mountains along the sea coast. There is clean water and a very pleasant climate. The water is shallow, so it warms up well. The swimming season lasts from May to November.
Latakia is the fourth largest city in Syria and the main seaport. In its vicinity is the main seaside resort of the country - Shatt al-Azraq (Côte d'Azur). 16 km. north of Latakia lies Ugarit (Ras Shamra) - the remains of a Phoenician city-state that flourished in the 16th-13th centuries. BC e. This city is considered the birthplace of the first alphabet in human history. Many ruins remain.
Recently, the development of two mountain resorts, Slenfe and Mashta al-Helu, which are located in the coniferous mountain forest zone, has been rapidly developing. Modern hotels were built here. Resorts such as Ras al-Bassit, Kasab, Salma, Draikish, etc. are also popular.

In the 3rd millennium BC. e. on these lands the Semitic city-state of Ebla was located; it was part of the circle of the Sumerian-Akkadian civilization. Subsequently, the Amorite state of Yamhad was formed here, but it was put an end to the invasion of the Hittites from the Balkans. In the 17th century, local Hurrian tribes formed the state of Mitanni. In the 15th century BC e. Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose I came here.
In the period from the X to the VIII centuries BC. e. Damascus became the center of the powerful Aramaic kingdom. At the beginning of the 9th century. BC e. The Syrians conquered part of northern Galilee from the Israelites. At this time, the Assyrians were gaining strength. They began to collect tribute from the rulers of Syria. The rulers created a powerful anti-Assyrian alliance. A fierce battle took place in 854 BC. e., under the walls of the city of Karkara, but it did not bring results.
However, the coalition of Syrian and Palestinian rulers, dangerous for the Assyrians, did not last long. A war began between them. The Assyrians managed to defeat the Syrian army, but were never able to take the city.
The Syrian king Hazael managed to retain the throne, but started a war with the Israelites. The Syrians practically made the Israeli king Jehoahaz a vassal. But in 802 BC. e. The Assyrians attacked Syria again. This time they captured and plundered Damascus. Hazael became a vassal of Assyria. But again he remained on the throne. Under his children, the Israelis continued to push Damascus.
The next Assyrian king, Tiglath-pileser III, decided to expand the borders to Syria. In 738 BC e. his troops captured 19 Syrian cities. Under these conditions, the rulers of Syria rallied around the new Damascus king Reason II. The king of Israel, Pekah, became his ally.
In 734 BC e. Tiglath-pileser III conquered Israel, and in 733 BC. e. The Assyrians took Damascus. The city was severely destroyed. Then the Assyrians were replaced by the Chaldeans, and then the Persians.
Alexander the Great captured Syria and made it part of the Macedonian kingdom. Later, Syria passed to Seleucus Nicator, under whom it reached its highest development.
But after his death, Syria was captured in 83 by Tigranes, king of Armenia. In 64, Pompey defeated Tigranes and made Syria a Roman province, annexing Judea. But gradually the power of the Roman emperors weakened, and Syria became the prey of the Saracens.
In 635, Syria was devastated and then conquered by the Arabs, who converted most of the Aramaic population to Islam. In 660-750 Damascus served as the residence of the caliphs. The Crusades for 2 centuries led to constant military clashes in Syria. The Principality of Antioch was formed here, which was conquered by the Egyptian Sultan Saladin in 1187.
In 1260, the weakened Ayyubid state was captured by the Mongols, who were stopped by Mamluk forces led by Sultan Qutuz.
In 1517, Syria was conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Selim I. Its territory was divided into 4 provinces led by governors.
In the 18th century, French influence increased here. In the late 1850s and early 1860s. Bloody feuds broke out between the Druze and Maronites.
From Europe, through the Young Turk movement, ideas of nationalism penetrated into Syria. During the First World War, Damascus was declared the seat of independent government throughout Syria, which was perceived as a revival of the Damascus Caliphate.
Faisal I declared himself king of Syria. But behind his back, Britain agreed to give Syria to France in exchange for giving up the oil-rich Mosul region.
In 1920, France received a mandate to govern Syria. Her troops expelled Faisal. After the Uprising of 1925-27, France had to make concessions in matters of local government. In 1932, Syria was declared a republic (with the retention of the French mandate). In 1939, France granted Turkey the Syrian province of Alexandretta.
Syria received complete independence from France on April 17, 1946. The first president was the head of the colonial administration, Cuatli. The emergence of the State of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent Arab-Israeli War led to an acute political crisis. In 1949, three military coups took place in Syria.
In 1958, Syria attempted to unite with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic.
But in 1963, Syria came under the rule of the leaders of the Baath Party (Arab Socialist Renaissance Party) with an orientation towards total socialism.
During the reign of Hafez al-Assad, Syria sought to limit Israeli influence in the region. The Syrian Golan Heights came under Israeli control, but Syria gained almost complete political control over Lebanon, established during the civil war in that country. This was put to an end in 2005, Syrian troops were withdrawn from Lebanon.
After the death of Hafez al-Assad, his son, Bashar al-Assad, whose policy was more gentle, became the president of Syria.
In 2011, an uprising broke out in Syria.

International trade

The country exports minerals, oil, textiles, fruits and vegetables.
Syria's main export partners are: Iraq, Germany, Lebanon, Italy, France, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Syria imports industrial products and food.
The main suppliers are: Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Italy, Egypt and the UAE.

The shops

The country's shops are open from Saturday to Thursday from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 21:00. Many private shops have their own schedule. Large supermarkets are usually open until 20.00-22.00. It's good to shop at the markets, the best of which are located in Damascus and Aleppo. At the same time, you can bargain very effectively.
In Syria, you can purchase valuable products from local artisans made of wood, mother-of-pearl, leather, fabric and silver. Gold and silver jewelry, spices, silk scarves, wood products, olive oil, sweets, national costumes and sheep skins are brought from Syria as souvenirs and gifts.
It is almost impossible to pay in foreign currency. Only “duty free” stores work with currency. They are located not only at the airport, but also in other places.
Any product purchased from such a store must be taken out of the country and used only outside its borders. Typically, purchases are packaged in the store, labeled with the buyer's name, and delivered to the airport before departure.

Demography

The country's population continues to grow. Girls here get married early; on average, women give birth to 7 children.
The largest cities are Damascus and Aleppo.
The largest national minority is the Kurds, who make up about 9% of the Syrian population.
The country's population growth is 2.4. The birth rate is 28.93 per 1000 people. The mortality rate is 4.96 per 1000 people. Life expectancy for a man is 68.47 years, for a woman - 71.02 years.
The population density is 121.6 people per square meter. km.
The urbanization rate is 2.5% per year.

The average age of the population is 21.9 years.

Industry

Industry provides the bulk of national income. The most developed industries are: oil, oil refining, gas production, electricity, phosphate mining, textile, food, electrical and chemical, which is based on the production of fertilizers and plastics.

Flora and fauna

The natural vegetation of Syria has been greatly altered by human activity. The Ansaria range in the west and the mountains in northern Syria were once covered with forests. Later they were replaced by secondary forests consisting of low-growing coniferous and deciduous species. In those coastal areas where agriculture was not developed, Mediterranean-type shrubs appeared.
In the west of the country, the mountain slopes are dominated by evergreen oaks, myrtle, laurel, magnolia, oleander, and ficus. There are groves of cypress, Lebanese cedar, Aleppo pine and juniper.
Plantations stretch along the Mediterranean coast sugar cane, tobacco and cotton. Mulberries, figs, and citrus fruits are grown in the river valleys. Olives and grapes are grown on the gentle slopes. The fields are sown with wheat, corn and barley. Potatoes and vegetables are also grown.
Rice is grown under artificial irrigation conditions.
In deserts, only after rain do young shoots of grasses and low-growing shrubs and shrubs appear. They are represented mainly by saxaul, biyurgun, boyalych and wormwood.
The fauna is not particularly diverse. Among the predators, lynx, wild cat, fox, jackal, striped hyena, and caracal are sometimes found. A fairly large number of ferrets live in the steppes and semi-deserts.
Ungulates include antelope, wild ass, gazelle and onager. There are many jerboas in the country. Sometimes there are hedgehogs, squirrels, porcupines, and hares.
The most common reptiles are snakes, lizards, and chameleons. A variety of bird species live, especially in the Euphrates Valley and near water bodies: storks, flamingos, gulls, geese, herons and pelicans.
Larks, bustards, and sandgrouses are found throughout Syria. Sparrows and pigeons are common in populated areas, and cuckoos are common in groves. The predominant birds of prey are falcons, eagles, hawks and owls.

Banks and money

The most popular mode of transport in the country is buses. There is an extensive bus network that directly links local towns. You can also travel by bus to neighboring countries.
The buses are mostly modern and air-conditioned. But there are also many outdated cars, minibuses and minibuses. Usually buses have an unstable schedule, which is tied to the main flow of passengers. Outside the capital, most buses have route signs only in Arabic.
You can buy a ticket at the bus station or from the driver. It is inexpensive, but the buses are often overcrowded.
You can also use service minibuses. They follow established routes between all populated areas of the country.
Such cars can accommodate from 5 to 25 passengers and follow a strict schedule. They also operate on intercity routes. The price of the trip should be agreed upon in advance; you can bargain.
There are also railways in the country. Each train has a sleeping car. The fare is low.
It's even cheap to fly in Syria.
Tourists can also rent a car. It is best to do this in the offices of large international companies. The rent is quite high, and gasoline is also expensive.
To rent, you must have an international driver's license and local insurance, which is required for all road users. It can be purchased at customs or at local travel agencies and car clubs.
The country's main highways are in good condition. Most road signs are written in Arabic only, in some cases they are duplicated in English, but the spelling may be incorrect.

Minerals

Syria is not particularly rich in mineral resources. Oil is produced in the country. The largest deposits are located in the extreme northeast of the country.
The largest oil refining complexes were built in Baniyas and Homs.
Syria is largest producer phosphorites. Their deposit is being developed in the Khneifis area. Most of the production is exported, the rest is used domestically for the production of fertilizers.
Syria also has deposits of gas, phosphates, chromium, uranium, iron ore, manganese, lead, sulfur, asbestos, copper, dolomite, natural asphalt and limestone, tuff, and basalt. Table salt is being mined.

Agriculture

Agriculture accounts for about 30% of national income. Only a third of the country's territory is suitable for agriculture. Currently, Syrian agriculture is experiencing some growth thanks to the efforts of the state.
Arable land makes up about 30% of the country's area. They stretch in a narrow strip along the coast and have fertile soils and high moisture content. Fruits, tobacco, olives, and cotton are grown on these lands. In the El Asi River valley, a variety of crops are cultivated under irrigated conditions. The semi-arid highlands stretch from the Golan Heights and Damascus to the Turkish border. A significant portion of Syrian wheat and barley is produced here, and cotton is irrigated. Possesses fertile lands and the Euphrates Valley. You should not refuse the offered coffee or any treat. It is forbidden to walk around worshipers in front. At the entrance to the mosque and residential buildings shoes must be removed. Women should not wear off-the-shoulder or low-cut clothing.
Photography is prohibited in Syria government agencies, palaces, military and transport facilities. In Christian churches, you must ask for permission to film. You are not allowed to take photographs in mosques. You cannot photograph local women without permission. It is better to always carry documents with you.
Under no circumstances should you engage in political discussions with local residents, especially on the topic of Israel and the events in Hama.
A handshake is usually used for greeting, and it is very important to greet everyone greeting. When shaking hands, you do not need to look your interlocutor in the eyes, keep your other hand in your pocket, or swing it vigorously.
Good friends symbolically kiss three times. As a sign of gratitude, local residents touch their palm to their forehead and heart area. There is a very complex system of gestures. Therefore, you should not actively gesticulate, otherwise you may accidentally offend the locals.
European gestures that are familiar to us may turn out to be simply indecent according to local norms. But restraint in gestures can also be regarded as displeasure with something.

Healthcare

Tourists must obtain international medical insurance to enter the country. It is also recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis, polio, tetanus and typhoid.
From May to October there is a slight risk of contracting malaria, especially in the north-eastern part of the country.
Syrian medicine is at a high level. Many hospitals have the most modern equipment and highly qualified doctors.
Medical care is free. First aid and going to the clinic are free. But foreign citizens have to pay for other cases of visiting doctors.
Almost all medical staff speak English or French, many also speak Russian. Most hospitals in the periphery are private. Before treatment, you must confirm your solvency.
In public hospitals the level is no lower, and sometimes even higher, than in private ones.
Tap water is usually chlorinated. Outside the main cities drinking water poorly cleaned. It is best to drink bottled water.
The milk is not pasteurized and requires processing. Meat and fish can only be consumed after proper heat treatment. Vegetables from street stalls must be scalded with boiling water, and fruits must be peeled.
Many local dishes may seem unusual to our stomachs.
The country has high solar activity. You need to use creams sunburn and drink plenty of fluids. A hat and sunglasses are required.
It is better not to be on the street from 11.00 to 14.00 during the day.

Syria or Syrian Arab Republic- a state in the Middle East, in the eastern Mediterranean, bordered by Lebanon and Israel in the southwest, Jordan in the south, Iraq in the east and Turkey in the north. It is washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the west. The area is 185.2 thousand km².

The Ansaria mountain range divides the country into a wet western part and an arid eastern part.

The fertile coastal plain is located in northwestern Syria and stretches 130 km from north to south, along the Mediterranean coast from the Turkish to the Lebanese border. Almost all of the country's agriculture is concentrated here.

Most of the Syrian territory is located on an arid plateau, dotted with the mountain ranges of Dajable al-Ruwaq, Jabal Abu Rujmain and Jabal Bishri. The average height of the plateau above sea level ranges from 200 to 700 meters. To the north of the mountains is the Hamad Desert, to the south is Homs.

In the east, Syria is crossed by the Euphrates River. In 1973, a dam was built in the upper reaches of the river, which caused the formation of a reservoir called Lake Assad.

Climate

Climate in Syria subtropical Mediterranean on the coast and dry continental in the interior. The average temperature in January is from +4..+6°C in the eastern regions to +12°C on the coast, in July - from +33°C to +26°C, respectively. At the end of summer, a hot easterly wind, "khamsin", blows in Syria, sometimes developing into sandstorms.

The best time to travel around the country is in the spring, from March to May, or in the fall, from September to November, when weather conditions are most favorable. The beach season lasts here from May to November.

Population

The population of Syria is 22,198,110 people (2009). The majority of the population is concentrated along the banks of the Euphrates and on the Mediterranean coast. Average life expectancy is 70 years.

Arabs (including about 400 thousand Palestinian refugees) make up more than 80% of Syria's population.

The largest national minority, the Kurds, make up 10% of the population. Most Kurds live in the north of the country, many still use the Kurdish language. There are also Kurdish communities in all major cities.

3% of the population of Syria are Assyrians, mostly Christians, also living in the north and northeast of the country.

In addition, up to 400 thousand Circassians (Adygs) and about 200 thousand Armenians live in Syria, as well as about 900 thousand Turks live on the border with Turkey in the cities of Aleppo (Aleppo), Latakia and in the capital.

Religion

90% of the population of Syria are Muslims, 10% are Christians.

Of the Muslims, 75% are Sunnis, the remaining 25% are Alawites and Ismailis, as well as Shiites, the number of which has been constantly increasing since 2003 due to the flow of refugees from Iraq.

Among Christians, half are Syrian Orthodox, 18% are Catholics (mainly members of the Syrian Catholic and Melkite Catholic churches). There are significant communities of the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox churches.

About 100-200 Syrian Jews also live in Damascus and Lattakia, the remnants of a community of 40 thousand that almost completely fled to Israel, the USA and other countries South America as a result of the pogroms of 1947, which began after the announcement of the UN plan for the division of Palestine.

Language

The official and most common language is Arabic. In the northern regions of the country, Kurdish is often used. The most common languages ​​also include Armenian, Adyghe (Circassian) and Turkmen. In certain areas there are various dialects of Aramaic.

Among foreign languages, the most popular are French and English.

Currency

Currency of Syria- Syrian pound (SYP or S£), often called the Syrian lira. Has denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 (coins) and 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 (banknotes).

It is almost impossible to pay in foreign currency anywhere. You can exchange it in hotels, exchange offices and banks, where the rate is usually the most favorable. There is no commission for exchanging cash. Private currency exchange is officially prohibited, but in fact is widespread. It is almost impossible to exchange pounds back.

Banks are usually open from 8:30 to 13:00-14:00 from Saturday to Thursday, on Thursdays banks are open only in the morning. Exchange offices are open from 8:30 to 19:00-20:00 on the same days.

Credit cards are accepted by a fairly limited number of establishments: they can be used to purchase air tickets, pay in large stores, in some offices of car rental companies and large hotels. It is almost impossible to get cash from a credit card in Syria.

Traveler's checks are accepted only at the office of the Commercial Bank of Syria, and a commission is charged for cashing them.

Communications

Calling code: 963

Internet domain: .sy

Tourist police - 222-00-00, police - 112, ambulance - 110

Telephone city codes

Damascus - 11, Aleppo - 21, Latakia - 41, Hama - 33, Homs - 31

How to call

To call from Russia to Syria, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 963 - area code - subscriber number.

To call from Syria to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Landline communications

Pay phones are located in all in public places and work with both cards and coins. You can call abroad from hotels (through operators) and from specialized call centers (calls from most hotels are usually 25% more expensive).

mobile connection

Mobile communications in Syria are GSM 900/1800 standard.

Internet

The Internet in Syria is subject to censorship; access to some sites, for example, Facebook.com or Youtube.com, is prohibited.

Shopping

Shops are open from Saturday to Thursday from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 21:00. Many private shops operate according to their own schedule. Many purchases can be made in the markets, the best of which are in Damascus and Aleppo. In this case, of course, it is recommended to bargain.

In Syria, many valuable local handicrafts made of mother-of-pearl, wood, fabric, leather and silver are sold. Local souvenirs: spices, silver and gold jewelry, wood products, silk scarves, national costumes, olive oil, sheep skins and sweets.

Unlike other countries, duty free stores in Syria are located everywhere, not just at the airport. Any product purchased in "duty free" must be taken out of the country and used only outside its borders. The item in the store is usually packaged, labeled with the buyer's name, and delivered to the airport in time for the flight's departure, where it is handed over to the buyer.

Sea and beaches

There are numerous beaches along the coast of Latakia. The swimming season in the local shallow, and therefore well-warmed, waters lasts from May to November. The beaches are sandy, comfortable, and well suited for families with children: there are practically no big waves here.

Story

The history of Syrian civilization dates back to at least the fourth millennium BC. Archaeologists have proven that Syria was the cradle of most of the ancient civilizations of the world. Already in 2400-2500 BC. e. the huge Semitic Empire, centered in Ebla, extended from the Red Sea to Transcaucasia.

Syria has come under the rule of the Egyptians, Canaanites, Aramaes, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Armenians, Romans, Nabataeans, Byzantines, Arabs and Crusaders throughout its history before eventually falling under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Syria occupies an important place in the history of Christianity - according to the Bible, Paul converted to the Christian faith in Antioch, where the first church was founded.

Islam took hold in Syria in 636, when Damascus became the capital of the Arab Caliphate under the Umayyads. At this time, the Caliphate was already a powerful state, stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to Central Asia. Damascus became the cultural and economic center of the entire Arab world, already in the 8th century being one of the largest cities in the world. In 750, the Umayyads were overthrown by the Abbasid dynasty, after which the capital of the Caliphate moved to Baghdad.

In the middle of the 13th century, Damascus became the provincial center of the Mamluk Empire. In 1400 Syria was attacked by the Tatar-Mongols. Tamerlane defeated the Mamluk detachments, destroyed Damascus and took all its wealth to Samarkand.

In 1517, Syria came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire for several centuries. Shortly after defeat in World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapsed.

In 1920, the Syrian Arab Kingdom was founded with its center in Damascus. Faisal of the Hashemite dynasty, who later became the king of Iraq, was declared king. But Syria's independence did not last long. In just a few months french army occupied Syria, defeating Syrian troops on July 23 at the Battle of Maysalun Pass. In 1922, the League of Nations decided to divide the former Syrian Dominion of Turkey between Great Britain and France. Great Britain received Jordan and Palestine, and France modern territory Syria and Lebanon (the so-called “League of Nations Mandate”).

In 1936, a treaty was signed between Syria and France providing for Syrian independence, but in 1939 France refused to ratify it. In 1940, France itself was occupied by German troops, and Syria came under the control of the Vichy Regime (governor General Denz). Nazi Germany, having provoked the rebellion of Prime Minister Geilani in British Iraq, sent units of its air force to Syria. In June - July 1941, with the support of British troops, units of the Free French (later renamed Fighting France) led by generals De Gaulle and Catroux entered Syria during a bloody conflict with Denz's troops. General De Gaulle in his memoirs directly indicated that the events in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon were directly related to German plans to invade the USSR (as well as Greece, Yugoslavia and Crete), since they had the task of diverting the Allied armed forces to secondary theaters of military operations .

On September 27, 1941, France granted independence to Syria, leaving its troops on its territory until the end of World War II. On January 26, 1945, Syria declared war on Germany and Japan. In April 1946, French troops were evacuated from Syria.

The president of independent Syria was Shukri al-Quwatli, who fought for the country's independence under the Ottoman Empire. In 1947, a parliament began to operate in Syria. The main political forces were the pro-presidential National Socialist Party of Syria (currently active only in Lebanon), the Arab Socialist Renaissance Party and the Communist Party of Syria, which was then underground.

In 1948, the Syrian army took a limited part in the Arab-Israeli war started by an alliance of Arab states.

On March 15, 1956, an agreement on collective security against possible Israeli aggression was concluded between Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

On February 22, 1958, in the wake of the popularity of the pan-Arab movement, Syria and Egypt united into one state - the United Arab Republic with its center in Cairo. The president of the new state was the Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, but the Syrians also occupied many important posts. However, Nasser soon dissolved all Syrian political parties. In Syria, large-scale nationalization of agriculture began, and then industry and the banking sector. On September 28, 1961, a coup d'etat took place in Damascus under the leadership of a group of officers, Syria again declared independence. Nasser decided not to resist the separatists, so the UAR lasted only 3 and a half years.

After Syria left the confederation, the country was led by liberal Nazim Al-Qudsi. He returned many nationalized enterprises to their former owners. On March 28, 1962, a coup took place in the country again under the leadership of the same group of army officers. Al-Qudsi and his prime minister were arrested. After 5 days, supporters of the previous regime overthrew the interim government, and Al-Qudsi again became the president of the country.

On March 8, 1963, a military coup took place in Syria again, as a result of which the Arab Socialist Renaissance Party (PASV), which is sometimes called “Baath” (Ar. “revival”), came to power.

In 1964, a new constitution was adopted, in which the leading role of PASV was enshrined. The country was led by Amin Hafez, who began radical socialist reforms. In particular, the nationalization of the main sectors of the economy was carried out again.

On February 23, 1966, Syria was shocked by the fifth coup in 4 years led by Salah Jedid and Hafez al-Assad. Amin Hafez was overthrown, but the PASV remained in power, and Syria's socialist path of development remained largely unchanged.

In November 1970, as a result of the “corrective movement” in the PASV, led by H. al-Assad, Saleh Jedid’s group was removed from power. Thus, Syria became the main ally Soviet Union in the Middle East. The USSR provided Syria with assistance in modernizing its economy and armed forces.

In 1967, during the Six Day War, the Golan Heights were occupied by Israel. In the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Syria unsuccessfully attempted to recapture them. By decision of the UN Security Council at the end of the 1973 war, a buffer zone was created separating Israel and Syria. The Golan Heights are currently controlled by Israel, but Syria is demanding their return.

In 1976, at the request of the Lebanese government, Syrian troops entered this country in order to stop the civil war. The war ended in 1990, when a government was established in Lebanon that maintained friendly relations with Syria. Syrian troops left Lebanon only in 2005 after the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria supported Iran in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988.

After the death of Hafez al-Assad on June 10, 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad became president.

According to some reports, during the Israeli-Lebanese war in 2006, Syria supplied weapons to Hezbollah. This, in particular, is related to Syria’s still strained relations with some Western countries.

Golan Heights

The territory of the Golan Heights makes up the Syrian province of Quneitra with its center in the city of the same name. Israeli troops captured the Golan Heights in 1967, and the region was under the control of the Israel Defense Forces until 1981. In 1974, the UN Emergency Force was introduced into the region. A demarcation line was drawn directly along the eastern border of Quneitra province and a demilitarized zone was created. The UN Disengagement Observer Force is based in the area.

In 1981, the Israeli Knesset passed the Golan Heights Law, which unilaterally declared Israeli sovereignty over this territory. The annexation was declared invalid by the UN Security Council Resolution of December 17, 1981 and condemned by the UN General Assembly in 2008.

The city of Katzrin became the center of the Israeli Golan. The majority of the non-Jewish population in the Golan are Druze who retain Syrian citizenship (they are given the right to obtain Israeli citizenship). In Syria they enjoy some privileges, in particular, they are guaranteed free higher education.

In 2005, the population of the Golan Heights was approximately 40 thousand people, including 20 thousand Druze, 19 thousand Jews and about 2 thousand Alawites. Largest locality in the area there is the Druze village of Majdal Shams (8,800 people). Initially, only UNDOF personnel had the right to free movement between Syria and Israel. But in 1988, Israeli authorities allowed Druze pilgrims to cross into Syria so that they could visit the Temple of Abel, located in the neighboring province of Dara. Also, since 1967, Druze brides who decide to marry a Syrian are allowed to cross over to the Syrian side, and they already lose the right to return.

Syria and Israel are de jure in a state of war, since a peace treaty between these countries has not yet been signed.

In August 2007, Israel began a phased reduction in its military presence in the Golan for the first time since 1967.

The name Syria comes from the ancient Greek name for the colonies of Assyria, derived from the Semitic word "Sirion". The area on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea south of Cilicia, between Egypt and Mesopotamia, including Commagene, Sophene and Adiabene, is described by Pliny the Elder as “former Assyria.” By the time Pliny finished his main work, " Natural history", this region was divided by the Roman Empire into several provinces: Judea (later Palestine, modern Israel, the PNA and part of Jordan), Phenicia (modern Lebanon), Mesopotamia and Hollow Syria.

Entry into Syria will be denied to Israeli citizens and travelers with any evidence of visiting Israel (including passport stamps that are placed in tourists' passports when crossing the land borders of Egypt (Jordan) and Israel). If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport, you will need to get a new passport or choose another country to travel to.

The best time to travel around the country is in the spring, from March to May, or in the fall, from September to November, when weather conditions are most favorable. The beach season lasts here from May to November.

Hospitality is one of the most important Syrian traditions. Such an invitation should not be refused so as not to offend the host - in most cases such invitations are made with all the heart. It is considered impolite to refuse an offer of coffee.

Women traveling alone may receive too much attention from Syrian men. However, this attention is usually limited to glances or weak attempts to engage in conversation.

Syrians, like all Arabs, eat right hand. It is considered appropriate to take food from a dish with your hand or pick up sauce from a plate with a flatbread. It is not customary to eat while standing or on the go, or to look into the face of a person eating. Bread is usually broken by hand. You should also take food, money and things with your right hand.

When shaking hands, you should not look into the eyes of your interlocutor, and you should not keep your other hand in your pocket or vigorously wave it in the air (especially with a cigarette). You cannot go around those praying in front. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses.

Photographing government institutions, palaces, military and transport facilities is prohibited. In Christian churches, you must ask permission before filming (usually there should be no objections). But there’s no point in even asking in mosques: you can’t take pictures there. You should also not take photographs of local women without permission. Documents (or better yet, photocopies of them) should always be carried with you.

In addition, while in Syria, do not forget about the hot climate and active sun: you need to use sunscreen, drink more fluids and protect your eyes with sunglasses.

Local tap water It is usually chlorinated and relatively safe for consumption, but it is still better to ingest bottled water.

The Koran prohibits the consumption of alcohol, but in Syria this issue is practically not raised. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased at any store, restaurant or bar, but you should not drink them in front of everyone. Restrictions on the sale of alcohol are introduced during Ramadan.

Since the fall of 2009, there has been a ban on smoking in public places in Syria. Smokers caught with a cigarette or pipe in cafes, bars and restaurants now face a fine of 2,000 Syrian pounds ($46). The ban also applies to hookah smoking. Owners of establishments on whose premises violators are caught will also be fined, and in some cases even prosecuted. In addition, a number of restrictions on advertising of tobacco products have been introduced.

The country, although socialist, is Muslim, so you need to dress accordingly. Clothes should be modest. In Damascus and in cities near the coast they still turn a blind eye to this, but in conservative cities in the center of the country, and even more so in the outback, they treat inappropriate outfits with obvious hostility. And in Hama they may even throw stones at you. No tight clothing! Women should cover their arms and legs. Men will have to give up shorts and sleeveless T-shirts.

It's best to avoid political conversations with "locals" to avoid possible problems. Problems may arise, first of all, among the “locals” - since there are many plainclothes police officers and informants (snitches) around.

In any major city in Syria there is a Tourist information center, where you can get all kinds of information and free cards country and its individual parts. In Damascus, Tourist information is located opposite the Russian Cultural Center, on 29 May Street, the main street of the city. In Aleppo, you will find the Tourist information center near the Central Bank, on the edge of Alrais platz.

How to get to Syria

Attention! Currently, almost all international air and rail communications with Syria have been suspended due to the protracted civil war in that country.

By plane

There are direct regular flights between Russia and Syria. Moscow and Damascus are connected by regular flights of Aeroflot (on Thursdays and Sundays from Sheremetyevo-2) and Syrian Airlines (on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Vnukovo). Flight time is about 3.5 hours.

Many European airlines also fly to Syria.

Flights to Damascus from Almaty, Kyiv and Minsk are operated by Turkish Airlines.

By train

Weekly trains run from Aleppo to Istanbul (Turkey), from Damascus to Baghdad (Iraq) and Tehran (Iran) via Aleppo, as well as to Amman (Jordan). Fares to Istanbul and Tehran range from $45 to $70 one way in a premium category carriage. The cost of travel to Jordan is about $5.

At the same time, going to Amman by train can only be recommended to fans of rail travel who have a significant amount of free time. We are talking about an ancient narrow-gauge line (Hijaz Railway), built by the Turks. The average speed of the train is 30 km/h, so the distance between the two capitals (300 km) is covered all daylight hours with a transfer in the border town of Daraa (trains depart from Damascus at 8 am and arrive at their destination at 10 pm).

The Daraa - Amman train departs once a week on Saturdays at 18.00. The cost of travel by train is slightly lower than by bus (train - $5, bus - about $7-8), and the time spent on the bus is half as much. However, it is best to travel to cities such as Istanbul and Tehran by train.

By bus

Damascus and Aleppo have good bus connections with neighboring countries.

From Aleppo there are buses to Turkish Hatay (Antakya) and Istanbul, as well as to Beirut, Cairo and Baghdad. From Damascus you can get by bus and minibus to Beirut, Jordanian Amman with Irbid and Iraqi Baghdad. The cost of travel on border transport from Damascus is: Beirut (up to 20 times a day) - $8-10 by minibus and $4-5 by bus, Amman (10-15 times a day) - $10 by minibus and $8 by bus.

In addition, there are minibuses from Damascus and Aleppo to major cities of neighboring countries: Tripoli (Lebanon), Irbid (Jordan), Antakya (Turkey) and many others.

Airport tax when departing from Syrian airports - 32 USD (1500 SYP). Since the summer of 2009, some airlines began to include this tax in the price of an air ticket.

When leaving (land and sea borders) from Syria, a fee of 12 USD (550 SYP) is charged.

Useful information for tourists about Syria, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Syria, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Syria.

Geography of Syria

The Syrian Arab Republic is a state in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon and Israel in the southwest, Jordan in the south, Iraq in the east and Turkey in the north. It is washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

The Ansaria mountain range divides the country into a wet western part and an arid eastern part. The fertile coastal plain is located in northwestern Syria and stretches 130 km from north to south along the Mediterranean coast from the Turkish to the Lebanese border. Most of the Syrian territory is located on an arid plateau, dotted with the mountain ranges of Dajable al-Ruwaq, Jabal Abu Rujmain and Jabal Bishri. The average height of the plateau above sea level ranges from 200 to 700 meters. To the north of the mountains is the Hamad Desert, to the south is Homs. In the east, Syria is crossed by the Euphrates.

State

State structure

Syria is a multi-party parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president. The president is usually the general secretary of the Baath Party. The government is headed by the prime minister. The legislative branch is represented by the People's Council.

Language

Official language: Arabic

In the northern regions of the country, Kurdish is often used. The most common languages ​​also include Armenian, Adyghe (Circassian) and Turkmen. In certain areas there are various dialects of Aramaic. Among foreign languages, the most popular are French and English.

Religion

90% of the population of Syria are Muslims, 10% are Christians. Of the Muslims, 75% are Sunnis, the remaining 25% are Alawites and Druze, as well as Shiites. Among Christians, half are Syrian Orthodox, 18% are Catholics (mainly members of the Syrian Catholic and Melkite Catholic churches). There are significant communities of the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox churches.

Currency

International name: SYP

The pound is divided into 100 piastres (qirsh), although piastre coins are no longer issued. They are in circulation: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 (coins) and 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 (banknotes). It is almost impossible to pay in foreign currency anywhere; the only means of payment in the country is the pound.

You can exchange currency at hotels and at the exchange offices of the Commercial Bank of Syria. Private currency exchange is officially prohibited, but is very widespread. It is almost impossible to exchange pounds back.

Credit cards are accepted in a fairly limited range of establishments - you can use them to purchase air tickets, pay in large stores, in some offices of car rental companies and large hotels. It is almost impossible to get cash from a credit card in Syria, but the scope of non-cash forms of payment is rapidly increasing. Travel checks are accepted only at the office of the Commercial Bank of Syria, and a commission is charged for cashing checks.

Tourism in Syria

A typical Syrian lunch consists of rice or flatbread, meat, vegetables, beans, sweets and fruit. A national dish- burghol (burghul), this is wheat that has been steamed, dried and ground. It is added to many dishes, including the national kibbeh, which is made from minced lamb....

Tips

It is customary to tip only in expensive hotels and restaurants, usually 5-10% of the cost of service.

Visa

Opening hours

Banks are usually open from 8.30 to 13.00-14.00 from Saturday to Thursday (on Thursday they are open only in the morning). Exchange offices are open from 8.30 to 19.00-20.00 on the same days.

Purchases

Shops are usually open from Saturday to Thursday from 09.30 to 14.00 and from 16.30 to 21.00 in summer, in winter - from 09.30 to 14.00 and from 16.00 to 20.00, large supermarkets - until 20.00-22.00. Many private shops operate according to their own schedule.

Emergency numbers

Police (Damascus) - 112.
Emergency medical assistance - 110.
Red Cross - 442-1600.

Photo and video shooting

Photographing government institutions, palaces, military and transport facilities is prohibited. In Christian churches, you should ask permission before filming; usually filming is not prohibited. You can't take pictures in mosques. You should not take photographs of local women without permission.

National characteristics of Syria. Traditions

You should also take food, money and things with your right hand.

The soles of your feet should not point in any direction. When shaking hands, you should not look into the eyes of your interlocutor, and you should not keep your other hand in your pocket or vigorously wave it in the air (especially with a cigarette). You cannot go around those praying in front. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses.

The Koran prohibits the consumption of alcohol, but in Syria this issue is practically not raised. You should not drink alcoholic beverages in front of everyone.

Clothes should be modest. Women should not wear provocative clothing. Appearing in public places in sportswear or beachwear is considered extremely indecent. Even on the beach it is not recommended to appear naked or topless.