The Mediterranean coast is the most populated and developed part of the country, with a large area of ​​plowed land occupied by plantations of various agricultural crops. The climate on the coast is subtropical Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and dry, moderately hot summers. It is dominated by evergreen subtropical tree and shrub vegetation. Luxurious pebbly and sandy beaches stretch along the entire coast.

The historical, cultural, economic center of the country is the capital of the country Damascus (1.7 million people) - one of the oldest cities in the world. In the old part of the city, enclosed by an ancient fortress wall, there are many beautiful old buildings and historical monuments: the famous Umayyad Mosque, Al-Azema Palace, etc. Massive old buildings with large portals are adjacent to buildings from the time of French classicism and modern architecture.

Nature

On the territory of Syria, which extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the east through the northern part of the Syrian Desert, there are five natural regions: the Seaside Lowland, the Western Mountain Range, the Rift Zone, the Eastern Mountain Range, and the Eastern Syria Plateau. The country is crossed by two large rivers - El Asi (Orontes) and Euphrates. Cultivated lands are confined mainly to the western regions - the coastal lowland, the mountains of Ansaria and the valley of the El-Asi river, as well as to the valleys of the Euphrates and its tributaries.

The coastal lowland stretches in a narrow strip along the coast. In some places it is interrupted by rocky capes approaching the seashore, which are spurs of the Ansaria mountains. At its widest point, in the vicinity of Latakia, its length from east to west is 15–30 km.

Between the coastal lowland and the valley of the El-Asi River, confined to the rift zone, there is the Ansaria (En-Nusayriya) limestone mountain range, which runs parallel to the seashore from the border with Turkey in the north and almost to the border with Lebanon in the south. This ridge is approx. 65 km has an average height of 1200 m. Its highest point is Mount Nebi Yunes (1561 m). On the western strongly dissected slopes of the mountains, open to moist air currents from the Mediterranean Sea, there is a lot of precipitation. In these mountains, small rivers originate, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The rivers have developed deep valleys with steep sides. Many rivers dry up in summer. In the east, the Ansaria Mountains drop abruptly, forming a ledge approx. 900 m. The eastern slope faces hot dry air masses and receives much less precipitation.

At the southern tip of the Ansaria ridge is the Tripoli-Khomsky intermountain passage. A road runs along it, connecting the Lebanese port of Tripoli with the city of Homs; in the western direction flows the El-Kebir river, which over the years has deposited a fertile layer of alluvium on the bottom of its valley.

To the east of the Ansaria Ridge and north of the Tripoli-Khomsky passage stretches the Rift Zone, 64 km long and 14.5 km wide, which is a continuation of the East African rift system. The valley of the middle course of the El-Asi river is confined to this zone. The flat bottom of this graben, called El-Gab, used to be swampy in places, but has now been drained. Due to the high fertility of the soils, irrigated agriculture is developed here.

Directly to El-Ghab from the east, the Ez-Zawiya mountains adjoin, which are a hilly surface with average heights of 460-600 m, maximum heights reach 900 m.

To the south of the Ansaria ridge stretch the Anti-Lebanon and Ash-Sheikh (Hermon) ridges, along which the border between Syria and Lebanon runs. These mountains are composed of porous limestones that absorb what little atmospheric moisture the area receives. However, at the foot of the surface there are many sources used to irrigate land in the vicinity of the capital. Within the range of Ash-Sheikh, on the border with Lebanon, there is the highest mountain of the same name in Syria (2814 m). The Anti-Lebanon and Ash-Sheikh mountains are separated by the Barada River, which is used to supply water to the Damascus oasis.

The large, eastern part of the country is occupied by the vast Eastern Plateau. Its southern part is raised 300 m higher than the northern one. The surface of the plateau gradually drops to the east from about 750 m east of the Antilivan range to less than 300 m in the Euphrates floodplain. The southern part of the plateau is composed of ancient lava fields. The most impressive landforms are the dome-shaped Ed-Druze Mountains, rising up to 1800 m. Most of the surrounding plateau is covered with large-clastic lava material formed from erupted rocks, which makes it difficult to use this territory economically. Only in the area of ​​Hauran (southwest of Damascus), where the lava deposits are strongly weathered, fertile powerful soils were formed. To the east of the Az-Zawiya mountains, the terrain acquires an undulating character. Its surface gradually decreases from about 460 m in the west to 300 m near the border with Iraq. In the north-east of the country, there are medium-altitude (more than 500 m above sea level) mountains of Abd al-Aziz (maximum height 920 m), which have a latitudinal strike. The entire territory of the plateau from northwest to northeast is crossed by the Euphrates River, which cuts to a depth of 30–60 m. To the northeast of the Syrian capital, a chain of rather low ridges stretches across the entire region, almost reaching the Euphrates near the city of Deir Ezz -Zor. Their height decreases to the east from 2000 m (Maalula range north of Damascus) to 800 m (Bishri mountains, northwest of Deir ez-Zor). All these mountains are characterized by a lack of precipitation and sparse vegetation, which allows them to be used only as winter pastures.

The eastern part of Syria in the southeast direction is crossed by the full-flowing transit river Euphrates with large left tributaries of the Belikh and Khabur. All these rivers originate in the mountains of Turkey. The length of the middle course of the Euphrates in Syria is 675 km. Its flow is regulated by a dam. As a result of the construction of the dam, a large El-Assad reservoir with a volume of approx. 12 billion cubic meters m. The largest river in the west of the country is El Asi (Orontes), originating in the mountains of Lebanon, flowing along the depression of the Syrian graben and flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. Its length within Syria is 325 km. In addition, there are many small rivers of the Mediterranean basin, which are most full-flowing in the winter rainy season and shallow in summer. In the extreme northeast along the border with Iraq for approx. The Tigris River flows for 50 km. In addition, there are large lakes in the west of the country.

In areas with insufficient moisture for irrigated agriculture, wells, springs, accumulations of groundwater and rivers are used, due to which a significant share of electricity is generated in the country. Approximately 12% of cultivated land is irrigated, with approx. 20% of them are due to wells. On the rest of the irrigated lands, irrigation depends on the water regime of the Euphrates and its tributaries, the Belikh and Khabur. But the water resources of the Euphrates are also widely used in the energy and agriculture of Turkey and Iraq, which claim their rights to the waters of this river. This circumstance, along with the technical and financial problems of Syria itself and droughts, did not allow bringing the area of ​​​​irrigated land and electricity production to the level envisaged by the construction of the Euphrates Dam, which was completed in 1978. Large irrigation systems are also located on the El Asi and Yarmuk rivers (the waters of the latter shared with Jordan).

The natural vegetation of Syria has undergone significant changes under strong anthropogenic influence. In the distant past, the Ansaria range in the west and the mountains in the north of the country were covered with forests. Later, they were replaced by secondary forests of low-growing coniferous and deciduous species in better moistened sparsely populated areas and Mediterranean-type shrubs in those coastal areas where agriculture was not developed. In Western Syria, the least disturbed habitats on the mountain slopes are dominated by evergreen oaks, laurel, myrtle, oleander, magnolia, and ficuses. There are groves of cypress, Aleppo pine, Lebanese cedar, and juniper.

Along the Mediterranean coast there are plantations of tobacco, cotton, and sugar cane. Figs, mulberries, citrus fruits are grown in river valleys, and olives and grapes are grown on gentle slopes. The fields are sown with corn, barley, and wheat. They also grow potatoes and vegetables. In the north, and partly on the eastern slopes of the ridge. Ansaria and others, and in the low mountains of the interior of the country, typical legume-cereal steppes are common, which serve as a fodder base for pasture cattle breeding (mainly sheep breeding). Wheat and barley, cotton are grown in the fields, and rice is grown under conditions of artificial irrigation.

In the deserts, the landscape revives only after rain, when young shoots of grasses and low-growing shrubs and shrubs appear, which are mainly represented by saxaul, biyurgun, boyalich, and wormwood. Nevertheless, even such a poor vegetation cover is enough to feed camels, which are bred by nomads.

The fauna of Syria is not very diverse. Of the carnivores, there are sometimes a wild cat, lynx, jackal, fox, striped hyena, caracal, there are many ferrets in the steppes and semi-deserts, antelope, gazelle, wild ass onager among ungulates. There are numerous rodents such as jerboas. Sometimes there are porcupines, hedgehogs, squirrels, and hares are also found. Reptiles are characteristic: snakes, lizards, chameleons. The fauna of birds is diverse, especially in the Euphrates valley and near water bodies (flamingos, storks, gulls, herons, geese, pelicans). Throughout the country there are larks, grouse, bustards, in cities and villages - sparrows and pigeons, in groves - cuckoos. From predatory there are eagles, falcons, hawks, owls.

Most of the country is occupied by gray soils, chestnut soils are common in the north and west, and areas of brown, the most fertile soils are also found in the mountains in the west. They are confined to the coastal lowland and the lower slopes of the Ansaria ridge. Many soils are saline and gypsum.

Climate

The climate of Syria is subtropical Mediterranean, in the interior - continental, arid. Precipitation is scarce and occurs mainly during the winter season. Characterized by intense evaporation. High air humidity and a significant amount of precipitation are typical only for the coastal lowland and the western slopes of the Ansaria ridge.

Western Syria. The climate of the seaside strip and the windward slopes of the Ansaria Range is humid Mediterranean. The average annual precipitation is 750 mm, in the mountains it increases to 1000–1300 mm. The rainy season begins in October and continues until March - early April, with a maximum intensity in January. From May to September, there is almost no precipitation. At low altitudes in this season, the weather is uncomfortable for humans: in the daytime, the air warms up to 30-35 ° C with high humidity. Higher in the mountains in summer, daytime temperatures are about 5°C lower than on the coast, and at night even 11°C lower.

The average winter temperatures are 13–15°C; they fall below 0°C only at some distance from the coastal lowland. Hard precipitation sometimes falls, but snowfalls are common only for the upper mountain belt of the Ansaria ridge, where the snow cover can last for two to three months. Although winter is considered the rainy season, there are few rainy days, so even during this period the weather is clear, and the temperature during the day rises to 18-21 ° C.

Already on the eastern slopes of the Ansaria, Antilivan and Esh-Sheikh ridges, the average amount of precipitation decreases to 500 mm. In such conditions, steppes and semi-deserts dominate. Almost all precipitation occurs in winter, so winter crops can be grown without irrigation. The Syrian desert, which extends east and south of the steppe zone, receives less than 200 mm of precipitation per year.

The temperature range within the steppes and deserts is greater than on the Mediterranean coast. The average July temperature in Damascus, at the western end of the steppe zone, is 28°C, as in Aleppo further east, while in Deir ez-Zor, located in the desert region, the average July temperature is 33°C. temperatures in July-August often exceed 38 ° C. After sunset, the temperature drops sharply, and air humidity decreases. Thus, despite the heat of the day, due to cool dry nights in the interior of the country in summer, the climate is more comfortable than on the coast. In winter, in the steppe and desert regions, it is approximately 5.5 ° C cooler than in the coastal strip. The average winter temperatures in Damascus and Deir ez-Zor are 7 ° C, and in Aleppo - 6 ° C. In the north of the steppe zone, frosts and snow often occur, but in its southern regions, as well as in deserts, these climatic phenomena are observed less often. Nighttime temperatures in winter fall well below 0°C.

Attractions

Despite the fact that Syria is a relatively small country, there are a great many unique monuments of different cultures and eras on its territory, allowing the tourist to make a kind of journey through time.

The capital of Syria, Damascus, is one of the most ancient cities in the world, and its historical part is a unique monument of urban planning with many important cultural and historical sites. The main one is the Basilica of St. Zacharias, which houses the shrine of John the Baptist.

In the ancient city of Bosra, city streets and the largest theater in the Middle East have been preserved. The city of Apamea boasts one of the longest main streets with a colonnade, and the city of Kanawat boasts the ruins of the temple of Helios. In general, in Syria there is a huge number of monuments of ancient history and ancient times: the ruins of the Aramaic city of Ain Dara, the ruins of the Phoenician city of Amrit, the ruins of the ancient city of Dura Europos, the ruins of the ancient Philipoppolis, as well as the city of Mari (the capital of the ancient Mesopotamian state) and the city of Ebla ( the capital of the contemporary state of Akkad and Sumer). In addition, many historical monuments have been preserved in the ancient cities of Khalabiya, Hama, Aleppo, Ugarit and Harbak. And the city of Palmyra was at one time the main rival of Rome in the East. Now it is famous all over the world for such buildings as the complex of the temple of Bel, the temple of Baalshamin, the Great Colonnade, the Valley of Tombs, etc. The dead Byzantine cities that abound in Syria are of no less interest.

Also on the territory of the country there are a large number of monuments of the history of Christianity. In Damascus, the main ones are the Straight Street, the tower of Bab Kisan, the underground church of St. Ananias and the Basilica of St. Zechariah. In addition, many of the first Christian monasteries are scattered throughout the country: St. Takla, St. Sergius, St. Simeon, etc. Among other Christian attractions, it is worth noting the Cathedral of St. Sergius, the Kalb Loze Basilica, the Church of Kanis Umm Zunnar and the “cave of the first blood » Makam Arbain.

Well, among the monuments of the Islamic period, the Umayyad Mosque and the Qasr al-Azem Palace in Damascus, the Aleppo citadel, the complex of the Tekkiya Sulaymaniya dervish monastery, the Qasr al-Kheyr ash-Sharqi palace and the Salah ad-Din fortress were most famous.

Kitchen

Syrian cuisine is based on Arabic, Aramaic and Caucasian traditions and is replete with many original dishes that will please even the most demanding gourmets. A characteristic feature of local cuisine is the extensive use of spices, olive oil, cereals, dairy products and fresh vegetables. Traditional dishes that are found everywhere here include unleavened cakes “hobz”, stuffed eggplants “makdus”, boiled wheat porridge “burgul”, fermented milk products “lyabne”, all kinds of puree-like snacks, green salad “tabbouleh” and others.

Meat treats are dominated by hearty dishes, such as baked lamb with nuts and mensaf rice or pilaf with spices and kabsa raisins. No less interesting and nutritious are such dishes as chicken with walnut-rice filling “jaj mahshi”, lamb chop “kastaleta”, sheep’s legs “maccadem”, lamb cutlets “kafta”, lamb on a spit “meshvi”, the famous “dolma” , as well as "kebab", all kinds of kebabs, puff pastries and a variety of seafood.

The most popular dessert, which is customary to complete any meal here, is baklava. Also worth trying are “kunafu” (a dish of dough, cheese and nuts), semolina pudding “mkhalabie” and baked chestnuts. Wash down all these delicacies with very strong and sweet coffee or tea. Various juices, sour-milk drink "airan" and raisin compote "dzhelab" are also widespread. Of the alcoholic beverages, anise vodka "arak" is most common.

Accommodation

In the major cities of Syria, most hotels and hotels have a category of 3 * or more, and their living conditions are fully consistent with the declared ones. In most cases, hotels should be booked in advance.

The most luxurious hotel complexes are mainly located on the coast, and on their territory there are mandatory swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis courts and massage areas. Mid-range hotels can be found in any city, they are quite comfortable, but such establishments do not always offer a full range of services, which is common for European hotels. Inexpensive hotels and guest houses are scattered throughout the country, however, the level of service in them is minimal, and the rooms are cramped and not very clean.

It should be noted that the cost of living in Syrian hotels is low and, as a rule, reflects the level of comfort and service. Very often breakfast is included in the price. The most expensive hotels in the country are the hotels of major hotel operators (Holiday Inn, InterContinental and Rotana).

Entertainment and recreation

The Syrian coastline is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, thanks to which there are many beaches surrounded by picturesque plains, gradually turning into hills and mountains. Moreover, the swimming season here is very long - from May to November. The most popular beaches in Syria are located near the city of Latakia. First of all, this is Al-Samra beach, the territory of which is divided between Syria and Turkey. No less popular are beaches such as Badrousseikh and Ras al-Bassit, as well as Wadi al-Kandil beach with black volcanic sand. The most popular option for outdoor activities on the coast is diving. And for him, whole diving tours are organized here.

Rock climbing is also popular among fans of extreme sports. The mountains here are so rich in mineral springs that in the summer tourists come here for medical procedures and mud therapy. For this purpose, it is worth going to such cities as Salma, Kasab and Drykish. Moreover, the highlands of the country are popular not only in summer, but also in winter. For example, the town of Slenfe is a health resort in summer and a ski resort in winter.

Vacationers with the whole family are recommended to visit the water parks in Damascus and Latakia, which offer a lot of water attractions. In addition, in all major cities of the country there are amusement parks, sports grounds, restaurants, bars and cultural institutions.

If we talk about holidays, then both Muslim and Christian religious dates are celebrated here, as well as state dates. The country also hosts many colorful festivals: Flower Festival, International Flower Show, Syrian Theater Festival, Cotton Festival, Vine Festival, Silk Road Festival, Palmyra Festival, etc.

shopping

Syria can rightly be called a real paradise for shoppers. The fact is that this country is literally famous all over the world for its oriental bazaars, where, if desired, you can find anything you want: from spices to furniture. Moreover, prices in the markets are much lower than in other trading establishments. Of course, in such places you should bargain. The country's best markets are in Aleppo and Damascus.

Among the range of goods offered here, the most popular are handmade carpets, national costumes, silk scarves, silver and gold jewelry, sheepskins, as well as leather, mother-of-pearl and wood products. In addition, you should pay attention to gastronomic souvenirs, such as coffee with cardamom, oriental sweets, spices and olive oil.

In addition to markets, in the major cities of Syria, there are a great many shopping centers, shops with branded clothing, supermarkets and small private shops.

It should be borne in mind that here in no store there is an opportunity to pay in foreign currency: only the Syrian pound or bank transfer is in circulation.

Most shops are open from Saturday to Thursday from 9:30 to 21:00, and private shops often work on individual schedules.

Transport

The most convenient way to get to Syria is by plane, as the country has two international airports (next to Damascus and Aleppo). In addition, Syria is connected with neighboring countries by rail and roads, as well as seaports.

Inside the country, you can travel by planes, trains, buses, minibuses and fixed-route taxis. Public urban transport in Syria is represented by buses and taxis. Tickets for travel on the bus are sold from the conductor or the driver, they are quite cheap. The cost of a taxi ride should be negotiated with the driver before boarding the car.

Renting a car in Syria is quite expensive: prices here are twice as high as in Europe. Gasoline is also quite expensive, and most road signs are in Arabic, making travel difficult.

Connection

The Syrian telephone system is quite well developed, and is currently undergoing modernization. Payphones are installed in all public places, so there will be no communication problems here. Moreover, they work both with small coins and with cards that are sold everywhere. In addition, you can call abroad from a specialized call center or from a hotel (25% more expensive).

Mobile communication operates in the GSM-900/1800 standard and has a fairly dense coverage. Roaming is available to all subscribers of major Russian operators. Phone rental is available at the offices of local mobile companies (Mobile Syria and Spacetel Syria).

The Internet in Syria is developing very quickly, however, the connection speed here is often not very high. Internet cafes operate in all major cities of the country.

Security

If you follow a few simple rules, Syria will be a completely safe and hospitable country. So, when entering houses and mosques, it is necessary to take off your shoes here, and it is forbidden to bypass the worshipers in front. Women should not wear short skirts and off-the-shoulder clothing. Photographing transport and military facilities, government agencies, as well as local women is prohibited. Filming in mosques is also strictly prohibited.

Documents or their photocopies should always be carried with you. It is worth noting that alcoholic drinks are sold everywhere here, but you should not drink them in front of everyone. In addition, in Syria, it is strongly recommended not to enter into any political discussions, including those relating to Israel.

Health insurance is required to enter the country. Prevention of poliomyelitis, tetanus, hepatitis, typhoid and malaria is also recommended. Local tap water is relatively safe, but it's still better to buy bottled water.

Business

The Syrian economy is based on oil exports, agriculture, chemical, food and textile industries. Moreover, the state has full control over energy, finance, aviation and rail transport. However, now, as part of the course proclaimed by law for the gradual modernization and liberalization of the economy, public sector enterprises have been granted the right to enter foreign markets and attract foreign investment.

Now the private sector is developing quite actively in the country. In total, the registration of a private company takes less than a month here. To do this, the entrepreneur must submit an official application for the reservation of the name of his company, as well as for its registration with the Office of Internal Trade.

The property

Syria is one of the last states in the Middle East, which opened the housing market for non-residents of the country. To date, foreign citizens have the opportunity to purchase real estate, while relying on a number of restrictions in the law. First of all, the area of ​​the acquired object must be at least 140 m2. Foreign buyers are also required to obtain prior approval from the country's Ministry of the Interior. In addition, the legal nuances that relate to foreigners include a ban on the subsequent sale of the acquired object within the next two years after the purchase.

The average cost of apartments in Syria ranges from $280,000 to $350,000, while the cost of villas starts at $400,000.

In addition, you need to know that since 2009, a ban on smoking began to operate in Syria. Therefore, smokers caught with a cigarette in any public place will have to pay a fine (about $50). It should be noted that this ban also applies to smoking hookah. It is noteworthy that alcohol is not prohibited in the country. The exception is Ramadan, during which drinking in public places is prohibited even for non-Muslims.

Visa information

Citizens of the Russian Federation and CIS countries need a tourist or transit visa to travel to Syria. Any of them can be issued at the Moscow Consular Section of the Embassy of Syria (Mansurovsky lane, 4) or immediately upon arrival in the country (at the airport or at the border crossing with any of the countries neighboring Syria, except Israel).

Population

The vast majority of the country's inhabitants are Arabic-speaking Syrian Arabs (about 90%). By religion, they are predominantly Muslim, but there are also Christians. The largest national minority is formed by the Kurds, who make up approx. 9% of the population. Most Kurds are concentrated in the foothills of the Taurus, north of Aleppo, and on the El Jazeera plateau, in the northeast. Kurds also formed communities around Jerablus and on the outskirts of Damascus. They speak their native Kurdish and Arabic and adhere, like the Syrian Arabs, to the Sunni trend in Islam. The bulk of the Kurds live in the countryside. Many Kurds lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle. In the cities (mainly in Damascus and Aleppo), the Kurds are primarily engaged in physical labor. Wealthy Kurds earn their income primarily by owning real estate. Some Kurds have reached high official posts, but they practically do not engage in trade. The share of Armenians, the second largest national minority, in the population is 2-3%. Many Armenians are descendants of refugees from Turkey who arrived at the end of the 19th century, but most of them emigrated in 1925-1945. Armenians practice Christianity and have kept their customs, schools and newspapers. Almost all Armenians live in cities: mainly in Aleppo (75%), where they have a prominent place in economic life, in Damascus (15%) and Hasek. As a rule, Armenians are merchants, small entrepreneurs and artisans, among them there are also many specialists with engineering and technical education and skilled workers, as well as freelancers. Turkmens and Circassians also live in Syria. Turkmens practice Islam, wear Arabic clothes and speak Arabic. Initially they led a nomadic life, but now they are mainly engaged in semi-nomadic pastoralism on the El Jazeera plateau and in the Euphrates valley, near the Iraqi border, or agriculture in the Aleppo region. The Circassians are descendants of Muslim nomads who moved to Syria from the Caucasus after it was conquered by the Russians at the end of the 19th century; they retained most of their customs and their native language, although they also speak Arabic. Approximately half of the Circassians lived in the governorate of El Quneitra, but after the destruction by the Israelis in October 1973 of the administrative center of the same name, many moved to Damascus. The smallest among national minorities are nomadic Gypsies, Turks, Iranians, Assyrians, Jews (the latter are concentrated mainly in Damascus and Aleppo).

Story

Historically, Syria included Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and the current territory of Syria. The country was strategically positioned and its coastal cities were important Phoenician trading posts. Syria was later part of the Roman, Persian, Egyptian and Babylonian empires. As a result, Syria became part of the Ottoman Empire and, along with Lebanon, was transferred to France after the defeat of Turkey in the First World War. The Syrians have never been particularly tolerant of capture (they were even independent in 1918-20), in 1925-26 they staged an uprising that led to France bombing Damascus.

In 1932 parliamentary elections were held in Syria, and although most of the candidates were pro-French, Syria refused to recognize the French version of the constitution. In 1939, France granted the Syrian province of Alexandretta to Turkey, which caused dissatisfaction with its policies from the local population. France promised to grant independence to Syria in 1941, but did not do so until 1946.

Civilized rule did not last long in Syria: in 1954, after several military coups, the Baath party, created in 1940 by a Christian leader, took control of the country. The main idea of ​​the party was the creation of a single Arab state, where Syria would no longer be an independent country. Everything went towards the formation of the New United Arab Republic together with Egypt in 1958, but many people did not support this idea, and a wave of armed uprisings took place throughout the country. By 1966, the Baath Party was back in power, but the celebrations were overshadowed by the outbreak of the six-day war with Israel, and in 1970 there was an armed conflict with Jordan. As a result of all these armed clashes, a coup took place in the country and Defense Minister Hafez al-Assad seized power.

Since 1971, Assad has maintained his presidency through force and subterfuge; he strengthens the position of Syria in the Middle East by concluding peace treaties and establishing trade relations. In 1999, he was elected for the fifth time to a seven-year term in office with a 99.9% majority. In the 1990s the fall in oil prices forced the countries of the Middle East to rally, and Assad took advantage of the Gulf War in early 1991 to improve the economic situation in the country. During the war, Syria joined the anti-Iraq coalition, which made a favorable impression on the West, although it still remains on the Washington list of countries that support terrorism.

In 1997, Syria withdrew from the list of countries through which drug trafficking passes, and Assad strengthened ties with the EU, Turkey and America. Attempts to diversify an oil-based economy through investment in the agricultural complex have not been entirely successful. In early 2000, US State Department officials discussed whether to remove Syria from the list of countries supporting terrorism, based on the fact that since 1986 there has been no evidence of Syria's involvement in terrorist acts. The chaotic retreat of Israeli units from eastern Lebanon in 2000 under fire from the Syrian-backed Herzbollah faction delayed further discussion of Syrian loyalty. The death of President Assad called into question the peaceful resolution of various conflicts in the Middle East. After Assad, his son Bashar became president in June 2000.

culture

You are unlikely to hear traditional Arabic singers on the streets of Damascus, but there is an interesting hybrid of Arabic-style singers and Western musicians here. Favorite performers in Syria are Mayada al-Hanawi and Asala Nasri. The Bedouins have their own musical tradition, where several men sing a monotonous recitative, which is an accompaniment to a belly dancer.

Art in the Arab world is primarily architecture, perhaps because Islam forbids depicting living objects. Everywhere in Syria you come across ancient and classical sights and architecture not only of the Muslims, but of the Romans and Byzantines. There are several churches left after the Crusaders. The Quran is one of the greatest examples of classical Arabic writing. Al-Muallaqat is an ancient collection of Arabic poetry. For 10 centuries, Syria was the center of the poetry of the Arab world, the best poetry belongs to the pen of Al-Mutanabbi (who considered himself a prophet) and Abu Firas al-Hamdani. One of the monuments of Arabic literature is Alf Laila wa Laila ("Thousand and One Nights"), a collection of stories about different times and peoples. Bedouin art in Syria is represented by silver jewelry, colorful fabrics, and edged weapons.

Hospitality is the main core of Arab life. It is customary for Syrian families, desert dwellers in particular, to invite strangers to visit. The tradition developed because of the difficulties of life in the desert, where a person cannot survive without water, food and friendly support. Wherever you are in Syria, you can hear the word "tafaddal" ("welcome") everywhere when people invite you over for a cup of tea.

Islam is the main religion in Syria. It is a monotheistic religion and the Quran is the holy book of Islam. Five times a day, Muslims, listening to the call of the muezzin from the top of the minaret, pray. Islam has common features with Christianity and Judaism, and therefore Muslims treat Christians and Jews with respect, and Jesus in Islam is revered as one of the prophets of Allah. Muhammad was the last prophet through whom Allah transmitted the Qur'an to Muslims. The majority of Syrian Muslims are Sunnis, but there are also Shiites, Druze and Alawites. The Druze mostly live near the Jordanian border and their faith is shrouded in mystery. Alawites live in Lattakia and Hama Homs.

Islam forbids eating pork and drinking alcoholic beverages, and this rule applies to a greater or lesser extent throughout Syria. Islam also tends to segregate the sexes, for example, there are public places where only men are allowed. Although in many places there is also a family room where women are allowed. When Syrians eat, they usually order first a selection of appetizers - mezze, and therefore the main dishes that Syrians eat from one plate. Arabic unleavened bread - khobz - is used with almost all dishes. Other dishes include falafel, fried bean balls, shawarma, a specially prepared chopped lamb, and fuul, fava bean paste with garlic and lemon. Mensaf is a Bedouin dish - a whole lamb, head on, served with rice and nuts.

Economy

Syria is characterized by a mixed economy with a high share of the public sector (approx. 50% of national income, 75% of the value of industrial products and 70% of fixed assets). Finance, energy, rail and air transport for a long time were entirely in the hands of the state. Private ownership clearly predominates in agriculture, and also includes small and medium-sized enterprises in trade, the service sector, motor vehicles and housing construction. The annual increase in GNP in the mid-1990s was estimated at 3.6%. In 2003, GDP growth was 0.9%, i.e. 58.01 billion US dollars, per capita income amounted to 3300 dollars. - 29.4% and other services - 42.1%.

Syria is a major center for maritime and land trade. In this regard, such an industry as warehousing has developed. Large oil storage facilities have been built at the refineries in Homs and Baniyas, at the oil loading terminal of the port of Baniyas, etc. The areas for storing metals and building materials have been significantly increased, and large elevators have been built.

Politics

Syria is a presidential republic. It is distinguished by a centralized, strictly hierarchical system, in which all power is concentrated in the hands of the president of the country and the top leadership of the Arab Socialist Renaissance Party (PASV, or Baath). This system was created after the military seizure of power by the Baathists in 1963. From November 1970 until June 2000, the head of state was General Hafez al-Assad, the leader of the military wing of the Baath, who came to the leadership in a coup, displacing the civilian leadership of the party. Hafez al-Assad has served as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Secretary of the Ba'ath Regional Leadership and Chairman of the Progressive National Front, a coalition of parties that has a majority in the People's Council of 250 deputies and serves as a unicameral parliament elected by popular vote for 4 years.

Once in power, the military, loyal to General Assad, soon convened a legislative body - the People's Council, before which the drafting of a permanent constitution was set as a priority. It was supposed to replace the country's interim constitution introduced by the Ba'ath in 1964, which was extended in 1969. Deputies to the People's Council were nominated by the president and his closest advisers and were supposed to represent the Ba'ath and its main left allies - the Arab Socialist Union, the Syrian Communist Party, the Democratic Socialist Unionist Party and the Arab Socialist Movement. The People's Council also included a small number of independent members and representatives of the opposition forces. In March 1973, the People's Council submitted a draft constitution to the president for approval, which was then submitted to a referendum. Under the new constitution, the People's Council is elected by universal direct and secret suffrage. All citizens who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote.

Elections to the People's Council are held in multi-member electoral districts, and in each of them one part of the seats is allocated to workers and peasants, and the other part to representatives of other categories of the population. There is no formal nomination of candidates by political parties. In practice, the ruling Progressive National Front puts forward a general unofficial list of candidates; formally, all candidates are nominated and run individually. Voting results are determined by the majority system of relative majority.

The powers of the parliament, according to the constitution, include the adoption of laws, the discussion of government policy, the approval of the state budget and plans for socio-economic development, the ratification of major international treaties and agreements, and the announcement of a general amnesty. Only the People's Council has the right to amend the constitution and regulations of its activities. At the same time, the Syrian constitution consistently does not delineate the subject matter of the legislative powers of the parliament, on the one hand, and the head of state, on the other.

The central place in the political system of Syria belongs to the head of state - the president of the republic. The candidate for this post is put forward by the People's Council at the suggestion of the leadership of the Baath Party, after which the issue is submitted to a national referendum. To be elected for a 7-year term, it is enough to get a majority of the votes that took part in the referendum.

In accordance with the fundamental law of the country, the President of Syria monitors the observance of the constitution and guarantees the operation of the state mechanism, develops (in agreement with the government) a nationwide policy and supervises its implementation. He appoints and removes civil and military officials, including vice-presidents, ministers, governors and top diplomats, enjoys the right to pardon and rehabilitate convicted persons, and is the supreme commander in chief. The president has the right to declare war, general mobilization and a state of emergency, can conclude peace agreements (if they are ratified by parliament), conclude and terminate international treaties.

The head of state has the right to convene extraordinary sessions of parliament, prepare bills and submit them to the People's Council. He can veto legislation passed by the legislature, which needs at least two-thirds of the votes to overcome it. In emergency circumstances, the president himself can issue laws-decrees in between sessions of parliament. The head of state has the right to directly submit bills to a referendum, bypassing parliament. His powers include the dissolution of the People's Council, however, for specific reasons, such a decision can be made only once. Parliament can hold the president accountable only in case of high treason.

The supreme executive and administrative body of the republic is the government (Council of Ministers), consisting of the chairman (prime minister), deputy and ministers. The Council of Ministers controls the work of the state executive apparatus and state corporations, oversees the implementation of laws, together with the president participates in the development of state policy and implements it, develops draft budgets, development plans and laws, ensures the security of the country, etc. The prime minister and ministers are responsible only to the president.

In the III millennium BC. e. the Semitic city-state of Ebla was located on these lands; 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, the local tribes of the Hurrians form the state of Mitanni. In the XV century. BC e. Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose I came here.
Between the 10th and 8th centuries BC. e. Damascus became the center of a powerful Aramaic kingdom. At the beginning of the ninth 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 broke out between them. The Assyrians managed to defeat the Syrian army, but they could not take the city.
The Syrian king Hazael managed to keep the throne, but started a war with the Israelites. The Syrians practically made the Israelite king Jehoahaz a vassal. But in 802 BC. e. The Assyrians attacked Syria again. This time they captured and sacked Damascus. Azail 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 at the expense of Syria. In 738 BC e. his troops captured 19 Syrian cities. Under these conditions, the rulers of Syria rallied around the new Damascus king Rhizon II. His ally was the king of Israel - Fakey.
In 734 BC. e. Tiglath-Pileser III conquered Israel, and in 733 B.C. e. The Assyrians took Damascus. The city was badly damaged. 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. Syria later passed to Seleucus Nicator, under whom she reached her highest development.
But after his death, Syria was captured in 83 by Tigranes, the king of Armenia. In 64, Pompey defeated Tigranes and made Syria a Roman province, adding Judea to it. 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 years. Damascus served as the residence of the caliphs. The crusades for 2 centuries led to constant military clashes in Syria. Here the Principality of Antioch was formed, which in 1187 was conquered by the Egyptian Sultan Saladin.
In 1260, the weakened Ayyubid state was captured by the Mongols, who were stopped by the Mamluk forces led by Sultan Qutuz.
In 1517, Syria was conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Selim I. Its territory was divided into 4 provinces headed 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 the Maronites.
From Europe, through the movement of the Young Turks, the ideas of nationalism penetrated into Syria. During the First World War, Damascus was declared the seat of an independent government for all of Syria, which was perceived as the revival of the Damascus Caliphate.
Faisal I declared himself King of Syria. But Britain, behind his back, agreed to give Syria to France in exchange for giving up the oil-rich region of Mosul.
In 1920, France received a mandate to govern Syria. Her troops expelled Faisal. After the Rising of 1925-27, France had to make concessions in matters of local government. In 1932, Syria was declared a republic (with the preservation of the French mandate). In 1939, France granted Turkey the Syrian province of Alexandretta.
Syria gained full independence from France on April 17, 1946. The first president was the head of the colonial administration Kuatli. The emergence of the state of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent Arab-Israeli war led to an acute political crisis. There were three military coups in Syria in 1949.
In 1958, Syria tried to unite with Egypt and the United Arab Republic was formed.
But in 1963, Syria was under the rule of the leaders of the Baath Party (Arab Socialist Renaissance Party) with a focus on total socialism.
During the years of Hafez al-Assad, Syria sought to limit Israel's influence in the region. The Syrian Golan Heights came under Israeli control, but Syria gained almost complete political control over Lebanon, established during the country's civil war. An end to this was put in 2005, the Syrian troops were withdrawn from Lebanon.
After the death of Hafez al-Assad, his son, Bashar al-Assad, became president of Syria, whose policy was more gentle.
In 2011, an uprising broke out in Syria.

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Syrian Arab Republic- a state in the Middle East, bordering 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 humid western part and an arid eastern part. The fertile coastal plain is located in northwestern Syria and stretches for 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 Dajabl-ar-Ruwak, Jabal-Abu-Rujmayn 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 - Homs. In the east, Syria is crossed by the Euphrates.

Airports in Syria

Aleppo International Airport

Damascus International Airport

Latakia Bassel Al-Assad International Airport

Syria hotels 1 - 5 stars

Syria weather

The climate is subtropical, Mediterranean, in the interior - continental, dry. Average temperatures in January are from +4°С to +12°С, in July from +26°С to +33°С. Precipitation is 100 - 300 mm per year, in the mountains up to 1000 mm per year.

Syrian language

State language: Arabic

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

Currency of Syria

International name: SYP

The pound consists of 100 piastres (kyrsh), although piastres 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 exchange offices of the Commercial Bank of Syria. Private currency exchange is officially prohibited, but very widespread. Reverse exchange of pounds is almost impossible.

Credit cards are accepted in a fairly limited range of establishments - with their help you can buy airline 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 growing rapidly. Traveler checks are accepted only at the office of the Commercial Bank of Syria, while a commission is charged for cashing checks.

Visa

For citizens of the Russian Federation, all CIS countries, as well as many others, entry into Syria requires a visa. A visa can be obtained at the consular department, or can be issued directly at the airport of arrival. To do this, you need to fill out an entry card with personal data (photos and a voucher are not required) and pay a fee of $20. According to some information, for citizens of states in whose territory there are consulates of Syria, it is obligatory to obtain a visa directly at the consulate, and not at the border.

Often, a visa application at the border is denied without explanation, sometimes there is arbitrariness of border guards who refuse to issue a visa under far-fetched pretexts or require additional documents. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for a visa through the embassy of the country.

Women under the age of 35 entering the country for tourism purposes without being accompanied by a male relative must first obtain a special entry permit from the Syrian Immigration Department.

A visa is not issued to persons who have any Israeli marks in their passports, a stamp on the exit from the border points with Israel (Aqaba, King Hussein Bridge in Jordan, Taba, Rafah, etc.). In some cases, the Syrian customs officials are suspicious of a passport obtained in Cairo or Amman.

If you have a visa, no additional permits are required to move around the country. Banned from entering areas along the Syrian-Israeli border.

Customs restrictions

Currency transit is limited to 5 thousand USD. Import and export of local currency is prohibited.

Without the imposition of duties are imported: up to 30 gr. perfume for personal use, up to 0.5 l. lotion and 0.5 l. cologne, personal items, gifts in the amount of up to 250 Syrian pounds, up to 0.57 liters. alcoholic beverages, up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 50 cigarillos or 250 gr. tobacco.

It is forbidden to import into the country: drugs, weapons and ammunition, video and printed products that are contrary to the norms of Islam and threaten public order.

All imported items must be declared. You can import gold, but in the amount of 500 g. For items purchased in the country, you need to present a receipt. If there is no receipt, then each product is taxed in the amount of 10-25% of the value of the goods.

Mains voltage

Tips

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

Kitchen

A typical Syrian lunch consists of rice or flatbread, meat, vegetables, beans, sweets and fruits. The national dish is burghol (burgul), which is steamed, dried and ground wheat. It is added to many dishes, including the national kibbeh, which is made from minced lamb.

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 on their own schedule.

Office 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.

Photo and video shooting

Photographing government institutions, palaces, military and transport facilities is prohibited. In Christian temples, you should ask permission before shooting, usually shooting is not prohibited. Filming is not allowed in mosques. Do not photograph local women without permission.

Traditions

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

The soles of the feet should not point in any direction. During the handshake, you should not look into the eyes of the interlocutor, and you should not keep your other hand in your pocket or wave it vigorously in the air (especially with a cigarette). You can not bypass the worshipers in front. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses.

The Koran forbids the use of alcohol, but in Syria this issue is practically not raised. Alcoholic beverages should not be drunk in front of everyone.

Clothing 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 in the nude or "topless".

Country code: +963

First level geographic domain name:.sy

Emergency Phones

Police (Damascus) - 112.
Ambulance - 110.
Red Cross - 442-1600.

(Syrian Arab Republic)

General information

Geographical position. Syria is a state in Western Asia, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to Iraq in the east at the center of ancient trade routes between Europe, Asia and Africa. In the north, the country borders on Turkey, in the south - on Jordan, in the west - on Lebanon and Israel (Golan Heights). The length of the Mediterranean coast is 180 km.

Square. The territory of Syria occupies 185,200 sq. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of Syria is Damascus. The largest cities: Damascus (1,500 thousand people), Aleppo (1,500 thousand people), Homs (580 thousand people), Al-Ladhimiya (300 thousand people). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 13 governorates (governorships) and the municipality of Damascus equated to them.

Political system

Syria is a republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislature is the unicameral People's Council.

Relief. Most of Syria is a desert plateau with low mountains, falling from west to east. In the west, two mountain ranges stretch, forming the mountains of Jebel Ansaria (height up to 1,562 m) along the Mediterranean coast, the mountains of Kurd-Dag, Jebel Zawiya, Anti-Lebanon (height up to 2,814 m) and Jebel el-Sheikh Hermon range, most of which is now in Israel). In the south of Syria, the black basalt massif of Jebel Druz rises. The seaside lowland with evergreen vegetation and luxurious beaches is 10-20 km wide. You can swim in the warm sea almost all year round. The east of the country is a hilly steppe, semi-desert and desert with occasional oases. The northeastern part is occupied by the Jezire Desert.

Geological structure and minerals. The bowels of the country contain reserves of oil, phosphates, manganese, chromium.

Climate. The climate on the coast is subtropical Mediterranean, with wet mild winters (average January temperature + 12°С) and dry summers with an average temperature of +26°С. It is colder in the mountains, snow falls in winter. In the interior regions, the climate is dry continental, it is characterized by large seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations, for example, in winter the temperature can vary from + 10 ° C at night to + 20 ° C during the day, and in summer the maximum temperature reaches + 45 ° C, + 50 ° C .

Inland waters. The Euphrates River flows through Syria from northwest to southeast for 680 km. In ancient times, a little to the south, in Mesopotamia (or Mesopotamia, between the Euphrates and the Tigris), the oldest earthly civilization was born. Another full-flowing river, the Orontes, flows through the country, 570 km long, in Syria - 325 km.

Soils and vegetation. The slopes of the mountains are covered with forests (oak, pine, cypress, laurel), which occupy about 3% of the country's territory. As the height increases, the forests turn into alpine meadows. Other trees include poplar, tamarisk, chestnut and eucalyptus. Palm trees can be seen in the Palmyra oasis.

Animal world. The fauna of Syria is rather poor. Of the predators, one can name a panther, a jackal, a striped hyena. There are antelopes, gazelles, onagers (wild donkeys). Lots of reptiles and rodents.

Population and language

The country's population is approximately 13.5 million people: from 80% to 90% (according to various sources) are Arabs. There are about 100 thousand Bedouins. National minorities are represented by Kurds, Armenians, Turks and Circassians. The official language is Arabic (Syrian dialect). Armenian is spoken in Aleppo and other large cities, and Turkish is spoken in some villages east of the Euphrates. In two or three villages, the language of the Bible, Aramaic, has been preserved to this day. The locals understand English, the older generation, French.

Religion

The dominant religion in Syria is Islam. Of the 82% of Muslims, Sunnis make up 68%, Shiites - 14%. Shiites are divided into several sects: Alawites (Nusayris) - 11.5%, Ismailis - 1.5%. About 3% are Druzes.

Brief historical outline

About 800 thousand years ago, primitive people came to Syria from Africa. About fifty ancient settlements have been excavated on the territory of Syria. Early Paleolithic objects were found in Sitt Marco, Ras Shamra and Latamna, and the oldest human remains of the Middle Paleolithic (Mesolithic) period were found in the caves of Dederia. English archaeologist Leonard Woolley in 1927-1928. excavated the city of Ur on the Euphrates, the legendary home of the forefather Abraham. The royal tombs he discovered gave a wealth of information about the life of the Sumerians, about their funeral rites. But the most striking discovery was that under the cultural layer with the remains of the tombs there was an absolutely pure layer of clay about two and a half meters thick. The only possible conclusion was made: an unprecedented flood occurred in ancient Sumer. Perhaps the real flood, described in the more ancient than the Bible, "The Tale of Gilgamesh", found on clay cuneiform tablets, served as the basis for the biblical story of the Flood. The lists of ancient kings and the texts of treaties and laws were deciphered on clay tablets. Archaeological excavations and deciphered texts proved: in the IV millennium BC. e. in the Euphrates valley and, in particular, in the territory of modern Syria, the tribes of the Canaanites (Amorites) lived. At the end of III - beginning of II millennium BC. e. early slave states emerged in the region.

In the XVI-XIV centuries. BC e. There were almost continuous wars in Syria. Syria was conquered in turn by the Egyptians, the Mitanni empire (which controlled Jezira), the Hittites, then the Arameans, by the 1st millennium BC. e. spread their influence over almost all of Southwest Asia. The Hittites, whose empire was destroyed around 1200 BC. e., were forced out into Northern Syria and the valley of the Upper Euphrates and created there new Hittite kingdoms with centers in Aleppo, Karchemish, Hama, Arpad. At the beginning of the X century. BC e. on the territory of Syria, the Aramaic Damascus kingdom arose, from the VIII century. which was part of Assyria (from about the 9th century BC), then the Neo-Babylonian (in the 7th century BC), the ancient Persian kingdom of the Achaemenids (until 333 BC) and the Hellenistic state of the Seleucids. Another Aramaic kingdom, created in Ham, was also conquered by Assyria in the 9th century. In 333 BC. e. in Northern Syria, the troops of Alexander the Great defeated the huge army of the Persian king Darius III. After the death of the great commander, the empire was divided. The East went to the commander of Alexander Seleucus Nicator (the founder of the Seleucid dynasty). The Greeks founded the cities of Antioch, Alamea, Dura-Europos in Syria.

In 64 BC. e. The Romans crushed the Kingdom of Palmyra, which stretched from Egypt to Asia Minor and occupied a large part of modern Syria. Antioch became the capital of the new Roman province. IV-VII centuries. n. e. Syria was a prosperous province of the Byzantine Empire. IV-V centuries. Christian churches were built, new rich cities arose. In 532, Syria was invaded by the Persians, and after the war of the Byzantines and the Sassanid Persians in 603, in 611, the Persians again poured into the country, finally expelled from Syria in 627. When in 636 the Arabs defeated the Byzantines at Yarmuk, Damascus surrendered. In 639, Aleppo, Antioch and Latakia were captured, and then the whole country.

In 661, Mu'awiyah, the Arab governor of Syria and the founder of the Umayyad dynasty, seized power and moved the capital to Damascus. Until 750, Damascus remained the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. It was during this period that the Arabic language spread, most of the population converted to Islam, and Islamic art was born. In 750, supporters of Abu al-Abbas, who laid the foundation for the Abbasid dynasty, overthrew the Umayyad dynasty. In 762, the capital of the Arab Caliphate was moved to Baghdad, and the role of Syria noticeably decreased. In 868 Ahmad ibn Tulun (founder of the Tulunid dynasty), the ruler of Egypt, conquered Syria. In 934, Damascus, like Egypt, passed into the hands of the Ikshid dynasty, who were soon expelled from northern Syria to the south of the country and Egypt by the Arab dynasty of the Hamdanids (later the Fatimids). Until 975, the Hamdanids also ruled in Aleppo, until they were expelled by the Byzantine emperor John I Tzimiskes.

In the X-XI centuries. a significant part of the country was captured by the Seljuk Turks. XI-XIII centuries the era of the Crusades. In 1097-1098. the crusaders besieged and took Antioch, and then founded the Principality of Antioch - one of the many principalities and kingdoms (including Jerusalem), founded by the crusaders in the East. Since that time, fairly well-preserved castles and fortresses of the crusader knights have remained on the territory of Syria. The power of the crusaders was not stable. In 1173, Salah ad-Din (known in Europe as Saladin) captured Damascus and united Egypt and Syria, initiating the Ayyubid dynasty. In 1187, at the Battle of Hattin, he captured Jerusalem. Since 1265, the crusaders began to be ousted from the East. In 1268, Sultan Baybars captured Jaffa in Palestine and Antioch in Syria. In 1271, the fortress of the Crusaders fell, in 1285 - the fortress of Markaba, in 1303 - the island of Aruad - the last stronghold of the Crusaders in Syria.

From the 13th century until the beginning of the 16th century. Syria was ruled by the Egyptian Mamluks - warriors of the Egyptian sultans, recruited from slaves of Turkic origin, and in 1250 seized power in Egypt and ruled Egypt and Syria until the Turkish conquest in 1517. In 1400, Syria was invaded by the Mongols, in 1401 troops Tamerlane captured and burned Damascus, exterminated its inhabitants. In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople, securing their victory over Byzantium and quickly conquering Southwest Asia. In 1516, under Selim I, the Turks captured Egypt and Syria, and until 1918 Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire (named after Osman, the creator of the emirate, and then the empire). The most significant events of this period: 1812. - uprising of the Janissaries, who managed to take Damascus and Aleppo; 1860 - the extermination of Christians in Damascus. During World War I, Turkey, and therefore the entire Ottoman Empire, was an ally of Germany. To expel the Turkish troops from the territory of Southwest Asia, Sheikh Faisal joined forces with the British and French troops. In 1917, Faisal entered Damascus, and in 1920 he founded an Arab kingdom.

After the defeat of Germany and its ally the Ottoman Empire in the First World War, the League of Nations in 1920 gave France a mandate to govern Syria. French rule was marked by numerous uprisings, the most powerful of which was the Druze uprising in 1925, which ended with the bombardment of Damascus captured by the rebels. In the summer of 1941, British, French and Jordanian troops entered Syria to overthrow the pro-fascist regime. As a result of a powerful national liberation movement, the French military authorities in November 1941 were forced to recognize the independence of Syria. In 1943, the first national government was formed, and on April 17, 1946, all foreign troops were withdrawn from the country. From 1945 to 1954, several coups d'état took place in Syria. General Zaim's coup took place after the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948 (which in Israel is called the War of Independence).

In February 1958, Syria and Egypt merged into the United Arab Republic (UAR), whose president was Egyptian President Nasser, but in 1962 Syria withdrew from the union and became an independent Syrian Arab Republic (SAR). The head of the republic is the president, the legislative power in the country belongs to the parliament. In 1963, the Ba'ath Party came to power, whose motto was "Unity-Freedom-Socialism". The subsequent period was marked by rapprochement with the Soviet Union, the nationalization of many sectors of industry. In 1967, during the Six Day War with Israel, Syria lost the Golan Heights. In 1970, General Hafez al-Assad, who had previously been Minister of Defense, came to power and united several political parties in the Progressive National Front. The rest of the parties were banned. In 1992, he was elected president for the fourth time for seven years, almost unanimously. The period of Assad's rule, which undoubtedly brought stability to the life of the country, was overshadowed by another Arab-Israeli war, the Yom Kippur War, which not only failed to return the Golan, but the Israeli army was 40 km from Damascus, and Syria suffered serious economic damage. .

Brief economic essay

Syria is an agro-industrial country. Grain and leguminous, technical (cotton, sugar beet and cane, tobacco) crops are cultivated. Fruit growing, vegetable growing, viticulture, melon growing, olive groves. Extensive animal husbandry. Fishing. Extraction of oil, phosphates, salt. Textile and food industry. Chemical, leather and footwear, oil refineries. Handicrafts. Export of oil, oil products, cotton, agricultural products, textiles.

The monetary unit is the Syrian pound.

A Brief Outline of Culture

Art and architecture. In the context of the rise of the national liberation movement in Syria, a new art was born. Even the titles of paintings by artists Farid Kardus "Awakening of the Arabs" and Nazem Jafari "Peoples welcome the unity of the Arabs" can judge its orientation. The first Syrian artists studied in Italy, France and Germany, since 1950 art exhibitions began to be held periodically in Damascus, and in 1956 the "Syrian Society of Art" was founded. The favorite subject of the realist Nazem Jafari was the urban landscape of Damascus. Genre artists Mahmoud Jalal (Peasant Woman with a Straw Tray) and Nassir Shaur (Portraits of Peasant Women) created poetic and pure images of Syrian women. Naim Ismail in his work relies on the traditions of medieval miniatures, even in works on everyday topics ("Market", "Village Road", etc.). Some of the contemporary artists of Syria have also experienced a strong influence of Western European abstractionism.

Syrian Arab Republic(Arabic الجمهورية العربية السورية‎‎; al-Jumhuriya al-Arabiya al-Suriyya) is a state in the Middle East, bordering Lebanon and Israel in the southwest, Jordan in the north, Iraq in the east, and Turkey It is washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

The population of Syria is 20.2 million people (as of 2009). More than half of Syrians are Sunnis, but there are significant communities of Twelver Shiites, Nizari Ismailis and Alawites (16%), different denominations of Christianity (10%) and Druze in the country. The official language is Arabic. Since 1963, the republic has been under the control of the Baath Party. The modern statehood of Syria is a little over 60 years old, but civilization originated here as early as 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 capital in the world today.

Story

Ancient Syria

The history of Syrian civilization dates back at least to the fourth millennium BC. Archaeologists have proved that Syria was the cradle of most of the ancient civilizations of the world. Already in 2400-2500 BC. e. the huge Semitic empire with its center in Ebla stretched from the Red Sea to Transcaucasia. The language of Ebla is considered the oldest in the family of Semitic languages. In the library of Ebla, discovered in 1975, more than 17,000 clay tablets dedicated to industry, agriculture and art were found. Among the leading crafts of Ebla are the processing of wood, ivory, and pearls. In Syria, these industries are still flourishing. Other famous cities of the era include Mari, Ugarit and Dura-Europos.

Syria in its history fell under the dominion of the Egyptians, Canaanites, Arameans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Armenians, Romans, Nabataeans, Byzantines, Arabs and Crusaders, 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 adopted the Christian faith in Antioch, where the first church was founded.

Islamic era

Islam gained a foothold 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 VIII 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 XIII 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 his wealth to Samarkand. In 1517, Syria fell under the rule of the Ottoman Empire for several centuries.

French Mandate

Shortly after the defeat in the First World War, 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 the independence of Syria did not last long. A few months later, the French army occupied Syria, defeating the Syrian troops on July 23 at the Battle of the Maysalun Pass. In 1922, the League of Nations decided to divide the former Syrian dominion of Turkey between Britain and France. Great Britain received Jordan and Palestine, and France - the modern territory of Syria and Lebanon (the so-called "League of Nations mandate").

In 1936, a treaty was signed between Syria and France providing for the independence of Syria, 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 Dentz). Nazi Germany, having provoked a rebellion by Prime Minister Geilani in British Iraq, sent units of its air force to Syria. In June-July 1941, with the support of British troops, the Free French units (later renamed Fighting France), led by Generals De Gaulle and Catru, entered Syria during a bloody conflict with Dentz's troops. General De Gaulle in his memoirs directly pointed out that the events in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon were directly related to the German plans to invade the USSR (as well as Greece, Yugoslavia and Crete), since they had the task of diverting the armed forces of the allies 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.

recent history

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

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

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

United Arab Republic

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. Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser became the president of the new state, but the Syrians also held 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'état 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.

Syrian Arab Republic

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

On March 8, 1963, a military coup again took place in Syria, as a result of which the Arab Socialist Renaissance Party (PASV), sometimes called the Baath (ar. "revival"), came to power. In 1964 a new constitution was adopted, which fixed the leading role of the PASV. The country was headed by Amin Hafez, who launched radical socialist reforms. In particular, the nationalization of the main sectors of the economy was again carried out. On February 23, 1966, Syria was shaken 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 the socialist path of Syria's development remained largely unchanged. In November 1970, as a result of the "correctional movement" in the PASP, which was headed by H. al-Assad, the Saleh Jadid group was removed from power. Thus, Syria became the main ally of the Soviet Union in the Middle East. The USSR provided Syria with assistance in modernizing the economy and the armed forces.

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

In 1976, at the request of the Lebanese government, Syrian troops entered the country to stop the civil war. The war ended in 1990, when a government was established in Lebanon that maintains 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, who had led the country for almost 30 years, his son Bashar al-Assad became president.

According to some reports, during the Israeli-Lebanese war in 2006, Syria supplied weapons to Hezbollah. With this, in particular, the still strained relations of Syria with some Western countries are connected.

Etymology

The name Syria comes from the ancient Greek name of the colonies of Assyria, formed 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, Pliny the Elder describes as "former Assyria." By the time Pliny completed 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), Phoenicia (modern Lebanon), Mesopotamia and Hola Syria.

State structure

Syria is a multi-party parliamentary republic. However, all parties in Syria must declare their adherence to the course of the country's socialist transformations. The constitution enshrined the leading role of the Arab Socialist Renaissance Party - PASV (Baath).

The head of state is the president. The president is usually the general secretary of the Ba'ath Party. According to the country's constitution, the presidential candidacy is nominated by the Baath Party, after which it is submitted by parliament to a popular referendum. The President is elected for 7 years, the number of consecutive terms in office is not limited. The president has the power to appoint a cabinet of ministers, declare martial law or a state of emergency, sign laws, grant amnesties, and amend the constitution. The president determines the country's foreign policy and is the supreme commander of the armed forces. According to the constitution, the president of Syria must be a Muslim, which, however, does not make Islam the state religion. It is also not specified which branch of Islam the president should belong to. Thus, the current head of state, Bashar al-Assad, is an Alawite.

The legislative power in the country is represented by the People's Council (Arabic مجلس الشعب‎‎ - Majlis ash-Shaab). Deputies of the 250-seat parliament are directly elected for a 4-year term. Following the results of the parliamentary elections in 2003, 7 parties passed to the People's Council. Led by the Ba'ath, they form the Syrian National Progressive Front (NPF). 83 deputies do not have party affiliation. The People's Council approves the country's budget and is also involved in legislative activities.

The judicial system is a unique combination of Islamic, Ottoman and French traditions. The basis of Syrian legislation is, according to the constitution, Islamic law, although the actual legislation in force is based on the Napoleonic Code. There are three levels of courts: the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, which is the highest instance. The Constitutional Court is composed of five judges, one of whom is the President of Syria and four others are appointed by the President. Thus, the president has full control over both the executive and legislative and judicial powers.

In addition to this, the system of religious courts deals with family matters and other domestic matters.

Government

The government of Syria is headed by the prime minister. The current Prime Minister is Mohammed Naji al-Otari.

On February 15, 2006, career diplomat Farouk Sharaa (Syrian Foreign Minister since 1984) was sworn in as Vice President of Syria. Farooq Sharaa, a member of the leadership of the ruling Arab Socialist Renaissance Party (Baath), as vice president, will oversee the country's foreign and information policy.

The oath was also taken by new ministers appointed during the February 11 government reshuffle. The Syrian Foreign Ministry was headed by Walid Muallem, who was the Syrian ambassador to the United States for ten years, and since the beginning of 2005 served as deputy foreign minister. The government of Mohammed Naji Otri included 14 more new ministers. In particular, the head of the military police, Bassam Abdel Majid, took the post of interior minister, which remained vacant after the suicide of the former head of the Syrian Interior Ministry Ghazi Kanaan in October 2005. Deputy Prime Minister for Economics Abdallah Dardari, Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani, Finance Minister Mohammed Al- Hussein, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Lutfi.

Human rights

Since 1963, a state of emergency has been in effect in Syria, in connection with which there are expanded powers of law enforcement agencies. Because of this, the country often faces accusations of violating civil rights. In particular, Amnesty International claims that there are at least 600 political prisoners in Syria.

The country has the death penalty. It is also known that about 300,000 Kurds are unable to obtain Syrian citizenship.

A number of human rights organizations in their reports regularly characterize Syria as an extremely unfavorable country in terms of human rights. Human Rights Watch, Freedom House and others accuse the Syrian authorities of restricting freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and political repression. On all possible scales, Syria traditionally has the worst score.

Foreign policy

Syria's foreign policy is focused primarily on the settlement of all disputes with Israel, including territorial ones related to the return of the Golan Heights to the jurisdiction of Damascus. Although Syria's relations with other Arab countries were damaged after Assad came out in support of Iran during the Iran-Iraq war, Syrian diplomacy is trying in every possible way to rally the Arab world around the problem of a Middle East settlement.

Syria has a special relationship with Russia. Damascus considers Russia as the main source of investment and the main military-technical partner [source not specified 418 days]. The possibility of locating a Russian naval base in the Mediterranean port of Tartus is being considered. Traditionally, Russia is a supplier of weapons to Syria.

Relations with the West are more strained. Washington, in particular, accuses the Syrian authorities of sponsoring international terrorism, encouraging Iraqi resistance, and arming Hezbollah. The accusations of the American leadership against Assad of violating human rights and dictatorial methods of government are also traditional.

Geography

The area of ​​Syria is 185.2 thousand km². The Ansaria (An-Nusairiya) mountain range divides the country into a humid western part and an arid eastern part. The fertile coastal plain is located in northwestern Syria and stretches for 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 Dajabl-ar-Ruwak, Jabal-Abu-Rujmayn 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. In 1973, a dam was built in the upper reaches of the river, which caused the formation of a reservoir called Asada Lake. In the areas along the Euphrates, agriculture is widespread.

Climate

The climate is generally dry. The average annual rainfall does not exceed 100 mm. The average temperature in January is 7.2°, in July 26.6°.

Administrative division

Syria is divided into 14 provinces (governorate, including governorate), the head of which will be appointed by the Minister of the Interior after the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers. Each province elects a local parliament. The province of Quneitra has been occupied by Israel since 1973, part of the province is under the control of the UN.

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 until 1981 the region was under the control of the Israel Defense Forces. In 1974, the UN Emergency Forces were introduced into the region. Directly along the eastern border of the province of Quneitra, a demarcation line was drawn and a demilitarized zone was created. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force is based in the area.

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

The center of the Israeli Golan was the city of Katzrin. The majority of the non-Jewish population in the Golan are Druze retaining Syrian citizenship (they are granted the right to acquire 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. The largest settlement in the region is the Druze village of Majdal Shams (8800 people). Initially, only UNDOF personnel had the right to move freely between Syria and Israel. But in 1988, the 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 move to the Syrian side, moreover, they already lose their right to return. Syria and Israel are de jure at war, as a peace treaty between these countries has not been signed so far. This phenomenon is described in detail in the film "The Syrian Bride" by Eran Riklis.

In August 2007, for the first time since 1967, Israel began to phase out its military presence in the Golan.

Economy

Advantages: oil export; oil production is growing due to the discovery of new reserves. Growing manufacturing base. Efficient agriculture. Low inflation.

Weaknesses: High defense spending places a heavy burden on the economy. Corruption. The dominance of state inefficient enterprises. Lack of foreign investment. Large population growth. High unemployment (20%). Problems with water supply. Slow reforms.

The economic situation in the country is quite stable. The volume of GDP is 71.7 billion US dollars; GDP growth in 2005 was 2.3%. The inflation rate is 2%. Foreign exchange reserves - 4 billion dollars. External debt (excluding military) - $ 6 billion. The per capita income is about $1,000 per year. The problem of unemployment is still acute, which in 2005 reached 20% of the able-bodied population, including about 30% among young people.

The public sector, which retains the leading role in the economy (70% of the main means of production), accounts for about half of the national income and approximately 75% of the value of industrial output. The state fully controls the sphere of finance, energy, rail and air transport. As part of the course proclaimed by the Syrian leadership towards gradual liberalization and modernization of the economy, a line has been taken to provide public sector enterprises with greater economic independence, in particular, the right to enter the foreign market and attract foreign investment.

The private sector is actively developing. It produces 25% of the value of industrial products, it occupies a dominant position in agriculture (almost 100%), domestic trade (90%), foreign trade (70%), services, vehicles, housing construction.

Industry creates the bulk of the national income. The most developed industries are oil, oil refining, electric power, gas production, phosphate mining, food, textile, chemical (production of fertilizers, plastics), and electrical engineering.

Agriculture (50% of the working population) accounts for about 30% of national income and 17% of export earnings (cotton, livestock products, vegetables and fruits). Only a third of the territory of Syria is suitable for agriculture. Currently, agriculture is experiencing some growth associated with government injections into the agro-industry.

International trade

Export - 13.97 billion dollars (in 2008) - oil, minerals, fruits and vegetables, textiles.

The main buyers are Iraq 30.7%, Germany 9.8%, Lebanon 9.6%, Italy 6.4%, France 5.5%, Egypt 5.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.1%.

Import - 15.97 billion dollars (in 2008) - industrial products, food.

The main suppliers are Saudi Arabia 11.7%, China 8.7%, Russia 7.5%, Italy 5.9%, Egypt 5.8%, UAE 5.7%.

Transport

Car roads

The total length of roads in Syria is 36,377 km. Of them:
Paved - 26,299 km
Without hard surface - 10,078 km

Railways

The total length of railways is 2,750 km. In Syria, two types of gauge are used at once. 2423 km of roads were laid with a standard gauge of 1435 mm, and 327 km with a gauge of 1050 mm. The road with a gauge of 1050 mm was built by the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century and connected Damascus with Medina. This thread is currently inactive. Railway communication is established with three neighboring states: Turkey, Iraq and Jordan. At present, the construction of the Tartus-Latakia line is underway; it is planned to lay the railways Damascus - Dara and Deir ez-Zor - Abu Kemal.

Air Transport

The number of airports is 104 (1999), of which 24 have concrete runways. 3 have international status. The state-owned airline, Syrianair, operates flights to more than 50 cities.

Pipeline transport

The total length of pipelines is 1,304 km, of which 515 are oil pipelines.

Sea transport

The main ports on the Mediterranean Sea: Tartus, Latakia, Baniyas. In Tartus, there is a logistics base for the Russian Navy. Currently, work is underway to deepen the harbor with a view to the possible redeployment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol to Tartus.

Population

The population of Syria is about 22 million people. Most of the population is concentrated along the banks of the Euphrates and on the Mediterranean coast. The total population density is 103 people/km². Syria guarantees free education from 6 to 11 years of age and is compulsory. The 12 years of schooling consist of 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of general education and 3 more years of special training required to enter university. Literacy among Syrians over the age of 15 is 86% for men and 73.6% for women. The average life expectancy is 70 years.

Ethnic composition

Arabs (including approximately 400 thousand Palestinian refugees) make up more than 80% of the population of Syria. 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 (Circassians) 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 (Haleb), 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 Druze, as well as Shiites, whose number 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 40,000-strong community that almost completely fled to Israel, the United States and the countries of South America as a result of the 1947 pogroms that began after the announcement of the UN plan to partition Palestine.

Languages

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

culture

As one of the oldest states in the world, Syria has become the cradle of many civilizations and cultures. In Syria, the Ugaritic cuneiform was born and one of the first forms of writing - Phoenician (XIV century BC). 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 the family and religion, as well as education.

The modern life of Syria is closely intertwined with ancient traditions. So, in the old quarters of Damascus, Aleppo and other Syrian cities, living quarters are preserved, located according to the Greek tradition around one or more courtyards, as a rule, with a fountain in the center, with citrus orchards, vines, and flowers. Outside of major cities, residential areas are often combined into small towns. The buildings in these areas are mostly very old (often hundreds of years old) and are constantly passed down from generation to generation.

The Syrians have made a significant contribution 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 "analog" of the Renaissance in Europe - Nahda). The most famous Syrian writers of the 20th century, who made the largest contribution to pan-Arab culture, are Adonis, Gada 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 releases 1-2 films a year, which are very often censored. As a rule, banned films receive prizes at international film festivals. Famous directors include Amirali Omar, Osama Mohammed and Abdel Hamid. Many Syrian cinematographers work abroad. Nevertheless, in the 70s, Syrian-made 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, the authorities block Internet access to sites such as YouTube, Blogspot and Facebook, as well as to sites of Kurdish and Islamist parties.

Education

Prior to Syria's independence, more than 90% of its population was illiterate. In 1950, free and compulsory primary education was introduced. 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 the leading institution of higher education in the country. The second most important is the university in Aleppo, founded in 1946 as the Faculty of Engineering of Damascus University, but in 1960 it became an independent educational institution. In 1971, Tishrin University (Teshrin) was established in Latakia. The youngest university founded in Homs is Al-Baath University. In addition, a large number of Syrians receive higher education abroad, mainly in Russia and France.

healthcare

Syria has free public health care. There are about 300 hospitals in the country, and there are about 900 inhabitants per doctor.

Military establishment

The supreme commander of the armed forces is the president of the country. Military service in the Syrian army is carried out by conscription. Young men are drafted into the army for 2 years upon reaching the draft age (18 years) and only on condition that the young man has at least one brother. Otherwise, he is declared the breadwinner of the family and is not subject to conscription.

The total number of armed forces is 320 thousand people (16th in the world). About 14,000 Syrian troops were on Lebanese territory before Syria withdrew its foreign contingent in April 2005 (introduced at the request of the Lebanese leadership). The collapse of the Soviet Union, which was the main military-technical partner of Syria, significantly aggravated the position of the Syrian army. In the 90s, Syria even bought weapons from North Korea. Currently, Russia is again the main supplier of weapons to Syria. The country also receives financial assistance from the Arab states of the Persian Gulf as payment for its participation in the operation against Iraq. In addition to this, Syria is conducting independent research in the field of weapons.

The armed forces include the Ground Forces, the Air Force, the Navy and the Air Defense Forces.