Syria Country

Introduction
History-hounds will love this fascinating array of archaeological treasures. Syria's historic sites rival those of its Middle Eastern neighbours; it also lays claim to the oldest continuously occupied city (Damascus vies for the title with Aleppo), the spunkiest Crusader castle (Crac des Chevaliers) and the best preserved Roman theatre (in Bosra).

Destination Facts
Capital: Damascus
Prime Minister: Muhammad Naji al-Otari
President: Bashar al-Assad
Government: presidential republic
Time zone: GMT +2
Area: 185180
Population: 20000000
Languages: Sunni Muslim (74%), other Muslim (16%), Christian, Druze (10%)
Currency: Syrian Pound (S £ )
Country Dialing Code: 963

Getting There
The best time of year to go to Syria is spring (March to May) when the weather is mild and wildflowers are in bloom. In Damascus, the winter rains will have cleared the haze and swollen the rivers, so the wooden norias (waterwheels) in Hama will be turning and fresh, clean water flowing through the city. Autumn (September to November) is the next-best choice, between the intense heat of summer and the cloud of winter. If you go in summer (June to August), don't be caught without a hat, sunscreen and water bottle, especially if you're going to Palmyra or the northeast. Coastal areas such as Lattakia can get extremely humid, while the interiors will be very hot and dry. Winter can also be rather unpleasant. The winter rains can make sightseeing difficult, but if you're lucky, a blanket of snow may cover Damascus and the high altitudes. Bear in mind that the cheaper hotels may not have heating. If you are travelling during school holidays, you should book accommodation well in advance. Travelling in the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan may also require a bit more planning: some cafes and restaurants close during the day, and some offices operate reduced and erratic hours. Ramadan nights, particularly during the final three days of the Eid al-Fitr can be particularly lively.

Getting there and away
Syria has two international airports, one 35km (22mi) southeast of Damascus, the other just northeast of Aleppo. There is a third in Larrakia, which is international in name only. Both Damascus (DAM) and Aleppo (ALP) have regular connections to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Buses run between Damascus and Istanbul (Turkey), Amman (Jordan), Beirut or Tripoli (Lebanon) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Trains go from Aleppo to Istanbul and from Damascus to Amman. Service taxis also run from Damascus to most of the neighbouring countries. You can bring your own vehicle into Syria, but you will need local third-party insurance and a customs fee is payable. A carnet de passage en douane (an internationally recognised customs document allowing temporary import of a vehicle) is no longer needed, but check before leaving in case requirements change.

Getting around
There are internal flights between Damascus and Aleppo, Qamishle, Lattakia and Deir ez-Zur. Syria's road network is excellent, and buses are frequent and cheap - most Syrians use the bus, as very few have their own car. Distances are short and most trips take under four hours. Bus types include the traditional coach, minibuses and Japanese vans known as microbuses. Service taxis operate on the major bus routes but are considerably more expensive than microbuses. Syria's trains are modern, cheap and punctual, but the stations are usually out of town. The main line connects Damascus, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zur, Hassake and Qamishle with a secondary line along the coast. There are a few car-rental companies in Syria, but rates are around 50% higher than in the West and petrol is expensive and hard to find. If you do choose to drive, remember that Syrians drive on the right.

Visa:
All foreigners entering Syria must must obtain visas from Syrian consulates abroad, but if there is no Syrian representation in your home country, then in theory you should be able to get a visa at the border or on arrival at the airport. In reality, it's a situation that seems largely governed by the whims of the individual immigration official. Our advice is get your visa in advance. The easiest and surest way to get your visa is to apply for it in your home country. If that's not possible then consider picking up the visa en route.

Weather
Syria has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Inland it gets progressively drier and more inhospitable, while on the coast things are more friendly, with average daily temperatures ranging from 31 ° C (87 ° F) in summer (July) to 10 ° C (50 ° F) in winter (January). In the steppes area, where most of the cities are, expect temperatures to be a couple of degrees warmer. The desert can clock temperatures of up to 46 ° C (115 ° F). The end of summer can sometimes bring baking khamsin winds from the east, which are best avoided. Syria doesn't get a whole lot of rain, but what it does get falls mainly on the coast in the months between November and April.