Following the military action in Iraq, there is an increased risk of terrorism in Syria. Travellers should visit one of the following government websites for the latest risk assessment:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Website: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Website: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/sos/warnings-en.asp

Syria can be divided geographically into four main areas: the fertile plain in the northeast; the plateau, coastal and mountain areas in the west; the central plains; and the desert and steppe region in the central and southeastern areas. The Euphrates flows from Turkey in the north, through Syria, down to Iraq in the southeast. Damascus, the capital of Syria, is the world's oldest inhabited city. A central feature of this cluttered and clamorous city is the Ummayyad Mosque. The 18th-century Al-Azem palace is now a national museum, featuring beautifully illuminated copies of the Koran. Homs is a large city known for its industry. Of historical interest is the mausoleum of Khalid Ibn al-Walid. Located 65km (40 miles) outside Homs, Crac des Chevaliers is the most famous crusader castle in the world. Rising from an altitude of 670m (2200ft), its watch-towers once afforded protection. Latakia, Syria's principal Mediterranean coastal port is a major holiday resort. National dishes include kubbeh (minced semolina and meat formed in balls and stuffed with minced meat, onion and nuts) and yabrak (vine leaves stuffed with rice and minced meat).

Middle East.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from 1 April to 1 October).

185,180 sq km (71,498 sq miles).

18.6 million (UN, 2005).

100.4 per sq km.

Damascus. Population: 3.5 million (official estimate 2003).

The country can be divided geographically into four main areas: the fertile plain in the northeast, the plateau, coastal and mountain areas in the west, the central plains, and the desert and steppe region in the central and southeastern areas. The Euphrates flows from Turkey in the north, through the Syrian Arab Republic, down to Iraq in the southeast. It is the longest river in the Syrian Arab Republic, the total length being 2330km (1450 miles), of which 600km (370 miles) pass through the Syrian Arab Republic. The Khabur River supports the al-Khabur Basin in the northeast.

Republic since 1973. Gained independence in 1946. Head of State: President Bashar al-Assad since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Otari since 2003. Recent history: In June 2000, after years of failing health, President Assad died. Having fallen out with his brother, Rifaat, some years earlier, and with the accidental death of his eldest son, Basil, in 1994, Assad had selected his second son, Bashar, as heir. While domestic policy has seen something of a relaxation under Bashar, Western hopes that the Syrian Arab Republic would pursue a more pro-Western line have proved misguided – in the vocabulary of the US Bush administration, the Syrian Arab Republic is a ‘state of concern’ (one level below the ‘axis of evil’). The Syrians have provided some assistance to the Western ‘War Against Terror’ but were strongly opposed to the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Syria pulled its forces out of Lebanon in 2005, after coming under intense international pressure following a UN report that implicated the Syrian Arab Republic in the assassination of former Premier of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri. Both Syria and pro-Syria Lebanese officials were thought to be involved, although this has been strongly denied by Damascus.
The 1973 constitution allows for a single-chamber legislature, the 250-member People’s Assembly. Executive power is vested in the President who is directly elected for a seven-year term.

Arabic, French and English. Kurdish is spoken by a small minority.

Over 80 per cent Muslim (mostly Sunni), with sizeable Christian (mostly Orthodox and Catholic) groups and Jewish minorities.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs.

The Syrians take as much pride in their modern amenities as in their unique heritage and in the tradition of exquisite craftsmanship, and both should be appreciated. Visitors will enjoy the hospitality that is a deep-rooted Arab tradition and sharing the pleasures of an attractive Oriental way of life. It is customary to shake hands on meeting and on departure. A visitor will be treated with great courtesy and will frequently be offered refreshment, usually coffee. As a guest in someone’s home or, more usually, in a restaurant, visitors should respect Arab customs and traditions. A souvenir from the visitor’s home or company is well received. Conservative casual wear is suitable. Beachwear or shorts should not be worn away from the beach or poolside. Smoking follows Western habits and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke. Smoking is prohibited in public from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. Photography: No attempt should be made to photograph anything remotely connected with the armed forces or in the vicinity of defence installations, which even includes radio transmission aerials. It is wise to take a good look at what will be appearing in the background before pointing the camera.