Syria is a country in Western Asia with a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Its capital is Damascus and the official language is Arabic. Syria has a population of over 18 million people, most of whom are Muslim.

Syria is a country with a diverse landscape, including deserts, mountains, and coastline. It is bordered by Lebanon to the west, Israel to the southwest, Jordan to the south, Iraq to the east, and Turkey to the north. The country's economy is mainly based on agriculture, with wheat being the main crop, as well as cotton, barley, and fruits.

Syria has been in a state of conflict since 2011, when protests against the government led to a civil war. The war has caused immense destruction, displacement, and loss of life. The conflict involves various factions, including the Syrian government, opposition groups, and extremist groups like ISIS.

Syria has a rich cultural heritage and has been influenced by various civilizations throughout history, including the Byzantine Empire, the Roman Empire, and the Islamic Empire. Its cultural landmarks include ancient cities like Palmyra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city of Aleppo, which is famous for its ancient souks and medieval citadel. The country is also known for its cuisine, which features dishes like tabbouleh, hummus, and falafel.

In recent years, Syria has received international attention due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of millions of people, and the country is facing an urgent need for humanitarian aid.

Telephone Code
963

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 110; Fire 113; Police: 112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus

Currency (Code)
Syrian pounds (SYP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E, L

Major Languages
Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, English

Major Religions
Muslim 87% (includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Palmyra & Valley of The Tombs; Damascus (includes Historic Center, Souq al-Hamidiyya, Umayyad Mosque); Ancient City of Aleppo; Krak des Chevaliers; Bosra

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming

Cultural Practices
Displaying the soles of one’s feet to another person is improper. Similarly, placing one’s feet on top of a table is not acceptable.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is a common way of showing appreciation, but the amount is left to the discretion of the giver; 10 % is standard in larger restaurants.

Souvenirs
Rosewood, ebony, and olive wood carvings; embroidery, woven items, and hand-loomed brocade fabric; leather goods; gold and silver jewelry; mother-of-pearl items; inlaid steel and copper items; pottery

Traditional Cuisine
Kibbeh — ground lamb, bulgur, and seasonings baked, fried, stuffed or served raw; often served with tabbouleh (a salad made with tomatoes, parsley, bulgur, and onions mixed in a sauce of lemon juice, olive oil, and salt)

Geography
Area
total: 187,437 sq km
land: 185,887 sq km
water: 1,550 sq km

Climate
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus

Natural resources
petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower

People and Society
Population
22,933,531 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Arab ~50%, Alawite ~15%, Kurd ~10%, Levantine ~10%, other ~15% (includes Druze, Ismaili, Imami, Nusairi, Assyrian, Turkoman, Armenian)

Languages
Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, English

Religions
Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3%

Population growth rate
6.39% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime

Capital
name: Damascus

Economy
Economic overview
low-income Middle Eastern economy; prior infrastructure and economy devastated by 11-year civil war; ongoing US sanctions; sporadic trans-migration during conflict; currently being supported by World Bank trust fund; ongoing hyperinflation

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$50.28 billion (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,900 (2015 est.)

Agricultural products
wheat, barley, milk, olives, tomatoes, oranges, potatoes, sheep milk, lemons, limes

Industries
petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, automobile assembly

Exports
$1.85 billion (2017 est.)

Exports - partners
Saudi Arabia 23%, Turkey 18%, Egypt 14%, United Arab Emirates 8%, Jordan 7%, Kuwait 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
olive oil, cumin seeds, pistachios, tomatoes, apples, pears, spices, pitted fruits (2019)

Imports
$6.279 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - partners
Turkey 27%, China 22%, United Arab Emirates 14%, Egypt 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
cigarettes, broadcasting equipment, wheat flours, sunflower oil, refined petroleum (2019)