Syrian Arab Republic Information

Information

•  Full name: Syrian Arab Republic.

•  Capital City: Damascus.

•  Language: Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French and English.

•  Currency: Syrian Pound.

•  Religion: Sunni Muslim, other Muslim, Christian and Druze.

•  National Anthem: “Homat el Diyar” and “An-Nashid as-Suri”.

•  Newspaper: Al Baath, Champress, Syrianobles news, Syria Times, Syria Today and Teshreen Daily.

•  Places to Visit: Umm Al Qotein, Aleppo, Damascus, Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, Qala'at Samaan and Temple of Bel.

•  Transport: Airways : international airports near Damascus and near Aleppo; Roadways : Buses ply between Damascus and Istanbul in Turkey, Amman in Jordan, Beirut and Tripoli in Lebanon and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Service taxis are available from Damascus to the neighboring countries. Personal vehicles are also allowed; but local third-party insurance and a customs fees are required; Waterways/Ports : Baniyas and Latakia; Railways : from Aleppo to Istanbul and from Damascus to Amman.

•  Shopping: handicrafts, mother-of-pearl items, olive-wood carvings, weaving, embroidery, leather crafts, gold and silver jewelry, Bedouin festive dresses and Turkish linen embroidered belt.

Introduction

the Syrian Arab Republic is a fragment of the “Greater Syria” that was created in the 1920s by the French, with British aid. In fact, until the year 1946, the Syrian Arab Republic was under the French, who had taken over from the Turkish sultanate that collapsed after four centuries. For a while, between the years 1958 and 1961, it had collaborated with Egypt to form the “United Arab Republic”. The name of the country, “Syria”, was derived from the ancient Greek name that was given to the land of “Aram” that lay between Egypt, Arabia and Cicilia, and contained Mesapotamia.

Location of Syria

the Syrian Arab republic or Syria, as it is better known, is located in the central southwest region of the continent of Asia called the Middle East.

The political neighbors of Syria are Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and the southeast, Jordan to the south and Lebanon to the southwest. The Mediterranean Sea outlines its western coast. Portions of the country are positioned in both in the northern hemisphere and also in the eastern hemisphere.

Physical Map of Syria

the landscape of the Syrian Arab Republic consists of coastal plains, desert, mountains, plateaus and also plains. Either way, most of the country is semi-arid or arid. The desert, which is located in the central region of the country comprises of plateau land and lies behind a range of mountains – the Anti-Lebanon Mountains – which in turn wall out the Mediterranean coast. The other important mountain range in the country is the Bishri Mountains to the north. The highest point in the Syrian Arab Republic is Mt Hermon located in the southwestern corner. The population of the country is concentrated around the River Euphrates and the coastal regions and other major water bodies in the country; in fact, the capital Damascus too was once an oasis. The River Euphrates is the country's main source of water and based on it is built the artificial lake – the Al-Assad Lake.

Climate of Syria

the climatic condition in the Syrian Arab Republic is dominantly of the desert type. So, the summers are sweltering, arid and dry. These summer months stretch from May to September. The winters in the country is relatively wet while also being pleasantly warm and fall in the months between December and February. However, while inland temperatures in the Syrian Arab Republic may soar to 105°F, there could well be a mild rainfall in the coastal regions. As a result the coastal areas are mainly humid. The mountainous regions of the country experience more precipitation than the other areas.

Flora and Fauna of Syria

the vegetation in the Syrian Arab Republic depends on the terrain of the country. There are distinct types of plants growing in the different regions of the country. So, while the coastal region has the cultivated variety of crops, there is also to be found little amounts of tamarisk – which is a brushwood variety. The hilly regions are populated with pines, though sparsely. In the plain regions in the middle of the country oaks of different varieties, steppes and wormwood can be found. Most of the animal life to be found in the Syrian Arab Republic is of the desert variety. However, one can also find bears, antelopes, deer, squirrels, hares, otters and wildcats. The reptile variety – which is found in the desert – includes vipers, snakes, chameleons and lizards. The avian fauna in the country, though not as diverse, comprises mainly of game birds apart from the pelicans, snipes and ducks of various types.

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