What to Know Before Visiting Syria?

Country Facts:
 Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world! Archaeological
digs have uncovered evidence that proves human habitation dates back to 9,000
BC
 Approximately 25% of Syria’s land is arable.
 The two stars in the Syrian Flag represent the previous union between Syria and
Egypt.
 The National Museum of Damascus contains relics and artifacts from every age,
starting with the Prehistoric Age and extending to the modern Classical Age.
 The Shouting Valley is the meeting point of four countries: Syria, Lebanon,
Jordan, and Israel. It is an “echo point,” and people often use it to communicate
with their relatives on the other side.
 Syria is currently suspended from the Arab League (suspended on 16 November
2011.)
 In Syria, it’s the government’s job to get you drunk! There are two varieties of
beer, Al-Shark Beer and Barada Beer, both produced by the state.
 Qudud Halabiya and Muwashshah are the two forms of Arab music and
poetry uniquely developed in Syria.
 The capital of Syria is known for its steel. The Damascus Steel swords were
feared and revered by the crusaders for their extremely sharp edges.
 Most researchers agree that the word “Syria” derives from “Assyria,” which
comes from the Akkadian “Ashur,” meaning prince.
 Syria has become the world’s deadliest country for journalists, primarily because
of its ongoing civil war. In 2014, at least 17 journalists were killed.
 More than half of all Syrian refugees are under the age of 18.
 According to the UN, over half of Syria’s prewar population of 23 million needs
urgent humanitarian assistance.
 As of 2016, 60% of all the hospitals in Syria are closed or minimally operating.
Source:
1. https://facts.uk/12-interesting-facts-about-syria/
2. https://thefactfile.org/syria-facts/
3. https://www.factretriever.com/syria
Country Flag:
Capital: Damascus is the capital of Syria.
Government: The current constitution of Syria, adopted in 2012, effectively transformed
the country into a semi-presidential republic due to the constitutional right for the
election of individuals who do not form part of the National Progressive Front. The
President is Head of State and the Prime Minister is Head of Government.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria
Prime Minister: Imad Khamis is Prime Minister of Syria since 2016.
Economy: The economy of Syria has deteriorated considerably since the beginning of
the Syrian Civil War Moreover, Syria's economic history has been turbulent. In 1963, the
Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party came to power, and instituted socialist policies of
nationalization and land reform. For the 2019 estimate, GDP per capita in Syria will be
$2900 in PPP per capita.
Population: The population of Syria was estimated to be 16.91 million in 2018.
Religion by Percentage:  Religion. According to CIA World Factbook, 87% of Syrians
are Muslim, the majority being Sunni Muslims (74%). A further 13% are Shi'a Muslims,
following the Alawite (11%), Ismaili (1%) or Twelver Imami (0.5%) sects.
Source: https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/syrian-culture/syrian-culture-religion

Top Syria Foods: Syrian cuisine includes dishes like kibbeh, kebab halabi, waraq
`inab, hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, labneh, shawarma, mujaddara, shanklish,
bastirma, sujuk and baklava. Syrians often serve selections of appetizers, known as
"meze", before the main course, and za`atar, minced beef, and cheese manaqish as
hors d'oeuvres. Below are top “must try” dishes for visitors to Syria:

 Ballourieh: Ballourieh baklava consists of a pistachio filling that is placed

between two layers of shredded kataifi dough—similar to the one used in
kunāfah. This baklava variety is lightly baked because it needs to retain its typical
white color. When baked, it is doused in syrup and left to set, and it is then
traditionally served cut into large squares. Although it is believed to have been
invented in Aleppo, ballourieh baklava is commonly found in Lebanon, Saudi
Arabia, Palestine, and Jordan.
 Zlebiye: Zlebiye is a Syrian dessert that is usually enjoyed for breakfast. This
traditional dish consists of thinly rolled dough that is shortly deep-fried before it is
filled with ashta—Levantine version of clotted cream—and the combination is
 then generously dusted with powdered sugar and ground cinnamon. When
rolled, the pancake is additionally sprinkled with ground pistachios, and before it
is served, it is usually sliced into smaller pieces.
 Awameh: Awameh is a sweet Syrian dish consisting of small balls of dough
which are fried in hot oil and soaked in honey, cinnamon, or sugar syrup.
Sometimes, awameh is sprinkled with sesame seeds. The name of the dish
means floater in Arabic, referring to the way the balls float on the surface while
being fried.
 Ma’amoul: Ma'amoul is an ancient cookie filled with fruits and nuts such as
dates, walnuts, and pistachios. The cookies are traditionally prepared for Easter,
festivals, and celebrations, and they are typically shaped into balls or domes. In
order to differentiate the cookies, the walnut version is usually shaped into a
dome with a round top, the date ma'amoul is shaped into a dome with a flat top,
while the pistachio ma'amoul has an elongated, oval shape. It is not uncommon
for the cookies to be topped with powdered sugar for extra sweetness, and they
are often served with coffee or tea during the day in many Middle Eastern
households.
 Muhammara: Muhammara is a nutritious dip originating from the Syrian city of
Aleppo. It is made with a combination of roasted red peppers, olive oil, and
ground walnuts. The peppers give the dish a particular sweetness and smoky
flavor, while ground walnuts make it texturally exciting. Lemon juice,
pomegranate molasses, garlic, and salt are often added to the dish. Traditionally,
it was prepared in a mortar, but modern techniques usually mechanically blend
the ingredients, so its texture might vary from grainy to smooth. It is usually
served individually in small bowls or in larger plates, when it is consumed
communally. Freshly baked pita bread is the essential accompaniment to every
muhammara dip - typically cut in triangles, pita is used as a utensil to scoop up
this delightful spread. Muhammara is often a part of a mezze, served alongside
baba ganoush, labneh, or hummus, but it is also often used as a dip for raw
vegetables or a sauce accompanying grilled meat and fish dishes.
 Makdos: Oil-cured eggplants are a staple throughout Levantine and Middle
Eastern cuisine. The dish is traditionally prepared with small-sized baby
eggplants that are shortly boiled and stuffed with a flavorful mixture of roasted
red peppers, walnuts, garlic, and salt. The eggplants are then cured in olive oil
and are traditionally enjoyed for breakfast, usually accompanied by labneh,
vegetables, and flatbread, but they also work as a standard meze dish or a
snack. Though their origin is vague, preserved eggplants are strongly associated
with Syria.
 Mahshi: Mahshi is the name for a wide group of dishes which include a variety of
vegetables stuffed with rice, vegetables, and meat. It is similar to dolma dishes,
but the name is primarily used in Arabic, North African, and Eastern
Mediterranean countries. The most common vegetables used as a container are
cored zucchinis, squash, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, and in some
regions even cabbage and vine leaves. The stuffing for the vegetables typically
uses rice as the base, which is usually flavored with region-specific spices. They
can include mild Mediterranean spices such as parsley, dill, and bay leaves, or
 the more Oriental ones such as cinnamon, allspice, or mint. Already browned
minced meat is occasionally added to the rice, but it can be omitted to create a
vegetarian version of the dish. In some countries, the stuffing mixture is
commonly combined with tomato sauce. Vegetables are usually cooked in broth
until the rice is thoroughly cooked and the stuffing entirely infuses all the fragrant
spices. Depending on the choice of ingredients, mahshi can be served as a
nutritious main dish, as a healthy vegetarian meal, and even as an assorted
starter. It is a dish with centuries-long tradition, which is held in high regard in all
the regions and countries where it is prepared and consumed.
 Hummus: This internationally popular, beige-colored spread is traditionally made
with mashed chickpeas, tahini sesame paste, lemon juice, and garlic. People
across the world love hummus for its tangy flavor and the fact that it is filled with
nutrients. When served, it is typically dressed with a drizzle of olive oil, and is
then used as a dip for vegetables or a flavorful filling for flatbreads such as pita.
Even today, not much is known about its origins, although the earliest mention of
hummus dates back to 13th-century Egypt. Hummus is sometimes additionally
enriched with spices such as cumin and paprika, and it can be garnished with
anything from fresh herbs, cucumbers, and chopped tomatoes to olives, pine
nuts, and hard-boiled eggs.
 Booza: Booza is an ice cream variety that has its origins in the Levant and the
Middle East. Apart from the standard ingredients such as milk, cream, and
various flavoring additions, booza is thickened with salep—a thickener made
from the orchid root—and mastic gum, a resin obtained from mastic trees. The
ingredients are then pounded with wooden mallets until the mixture achieves its
unique, stretchy consistency. Because no eggs or air are added, booza results in
flavor-packed ice cream, with an amazingly dense and creamy texture. The most
traditional flavor of booza is known as kashta or qashta—which is a variety of
clotted cream often flavored with orange blossom and rose water—but standard
flavorings also include fruit, chocolate, and nuts. Often dubbed as one of the
oldest ice cream varieties, booza has recently caught up outside its place of
origin, primarily in the United States. Similar ice cream varieties are found in
Turkey (dondurma) and Greece (kaimaki).

Language: Arabic is the official language of Syria and is the most widely spoken
language in the country. Several modern Arabic dialects are used in everyday life, most
notably Levantine in the west and Mesopotamian in the northeast.

Dress for Men and Women: Arab men wear a loose, one piece robe called a
Didashah. In the summer, it is white, while in the winter, heavier fabric and darker colors
are used. They also wear a three-piece head cover. Clothing in Syria is very diverse.
There is an endless variety of kuffiyahs, turbans, and head wraps characteristic to
Muslims. Despite the harsh climate, bare legs, shoulders, or upper arms are rarely
seen. Short hair on women and long hair on men is equally uncommon. Women wear
long robes that cover everything except hands.

Holidays: There are several national holidays in Syria such as:

  New Year's Day
 Revolution Day
 Mother's Day
 Easter Sunday
 Evacuation Day
 Orthodox Easter
 Labour Day
 Martyrs' Day
 Eid al-Fitr
 Eid al-Adha
 Islamic New Year
 Tishreen Liberation Day
 Prophet's Birthday
 Christmas Day
Travel Tips:

 Visas are needed for most individual travelers. These are available in 6-month
(single/multiple entry), 3-month (single) and 15 day (land borders only) versions.
Citizens of Arab countries do not require visa, except unaccompanied Moroccan
women below 40 years old.
 Health care in Syria is well below Western standards, and basic medication is not
always available.
 Syria has Four international airports: Damascus International Airport (DAM),
35km (22miles) SE of the capital, Aleppo International Airport (ALP) just
northeast of Aleppo in the north of the country, Lattakia International Airport
(LTK), south of Lattakia, AlQamishli International Airport. As a result of the
ongoing civil war, air links to Syria are extremely limited.
 There is no bus service from Turkey as all land crossings have been closed by
Turkey (Except for official travel and at times Syrian citizens.
 When travelling from Lebanon, service taxis (taxis that follow a fixed route only,
usually from near one bus station to another) are a convenient way to reach
Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Aleppo or other Syrian towns
 Latakia and Tartous serve as ports of call for a number of Mediterranean cruise
lines.
 Arabic is the official language. It is always a good idea to know some words
("hello", "thank you" etc.). A surprising number of people speak at least (very)
rudimentary English.
 Travel from Latakia (beach), Syrian Coast and Mountains (Safita tower, Mashta
hikes and cave Marmarita: Virgin Mary memorial, St George Monastery, Crac
des Chevaliers, Palmyra (ruins), to Damascus (souq, mosques).
 The unit of currency in Syria is the Syrian pound or 'lira' (£S). All prices are now
in even numbers of pounds, so the subdivision 'piastre' is obsolete.
 The legal drinking/purchasing age of alcoholic beverages is 18.
  Generally you cant drink tap water, its usually unfiltered, but if you're unsure ask
the locals first. This water is free compared to bottled water, which comes at
anywhere between 150-250 Syrian Pound for 1.5 litres.
 A double room you can find for around 1500 SP, although this cost may be
higher in Damascus.
 Syria is becoming a major destination for students of Arabic. There are several
institutions in Damascus that teach Arabic.
 In addition, homosexuality is illegal in Syria. Businesses are not LGBT friendly,
and homosexual acts can be punished by long prison terms, beatings, whippings,
torture, or death.
 Syria has easy and cheap internet access. Internet is very common around the
cities at internet cafes. Facebook and YouTube have recently been unblocked
but there are still some websites blocked such as certain news sites.

Top 10 Attractions and places to visit:

1. Krak des Chevaliers

2. The Omayad Mosque
3. Aleppo Citadel
4. Al Hamra Street
5. Al Azem Palace
6. Temple of Bel
7. Mount Qasioun
8. Al-Hamidiyah Souq
9. Arwad
10. Site of Palmyra
Syria Boys Name:
 Farid
 Hassan
 Hussein
 Jamal
 Karam
 Mahdi
 Mohammed
 Nabil
Top Universities in Syria:
1. Damascus University
2. Arab International University
3. Al-Baath University
4. Tishreen University
5. Syrian Private University
 6. University of Kalamoon
7. University of Hama
8. Al Andalus University for Medical Sciences
9. University of Aleppo
10. International University of Science and Technology
Top 10 Websites: Not available on alexa
1. Google.com
2. Youtube.com
3. Facebook.com
4. Wikipedia.org
5. Bolgspot.com
6. Live.com
7. Stackoverflow.com
8. Ofgogoatan.com
9. Yahoo.com
10. Sp-today.com
Top 3 Search engines used:
1. Google
2. Bing
3. Yahoo
Top exports:
 Crude oil
 Minerals
 Petroleum products
 Fruits
 Vegetables
 Cotton fiber
 Meats
 Live animals
 Wheat
Top 5 Cars:
Top cars in Syria includes:
1. Kia Picanto
2. Hyundai accent
3. Tucson
4. Santa Fe
5. Toyota Camry
Natural Disasters:
Many types of natural disasters occur in Syria such as:
 Dust storms
 Sand storms
 Earthquake
 Volcanism
Home Designs / Architecture:
Syrian domed houses, sometimes referred to as beehive houses, are a type of
vernacular built heritage that is common to many areas of northern Syria. As vernacular
heritage, they shape the rural cultural landscape of Syria and are a much-photographed
feature of traditional Syrian life, attracting interest from across the globe.  
Deaths and Mortality:
In 2019, death rate for Syrian Arab Republic was 5.1 per 1,000 people. Death rate of
Syrian Arab Republic fell gradually from 11 per 1,000 people in 1970 to 5.1 per 1,000
people in 2019.
Source: https://knoema.com/atlas/Syria/Death-rate