Aljumhuryia Alarabyia Alsuryia is the arabic name for Syrian Arab Republic (in our text we will use word Syria).

Syria is one of the larger countries of the Middle East. Its capital is Damascus.
Syria is bordered to the north by Turkey, to the east by Irak, by Jordan to the south, and by Lebanon to the south-west. In addition, the country has a short coastline on the east Mediterranean Sea.

- Area 185,180 km2.
- Population aprox. 22,000,000.
- Language Arabic.
- Religion Muslim 90%, Christians 10%, Jewish (tiny communities).
- Electricity 220/50 Hz European plug.
- Country Code 963.
- Time Zone UTC + 2(winter), +3 (summer).

Main Cities:
Damascus The capital of the country and the oldest city alive. Damascus is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world. The old-walled city, in particular, feels very ancient and largely consists of a maze of narrow alleys, punctuated by enigmatic doors that lead into pleasing, verdant courtyards and blank-faced houses. The old city still has an authentic medieval feel to it, although this is vanishing fast due to the increasing tourist traffic as the city continues to be highlighted as an attraction. Life however, goes on in the old-walled city, which is still the religious and social center of the city.

Aleppo Aleppo is one of the oldest cities in the world. Aleppo is the second capital of Syria (350 km north of Damascus), and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in history.
Abraham is said to have camped on the acropolis which, long before his time, served as the foundation of a fortress (where the Aleppo citadel is standing now). He milked his grey cow there, hence Aleppo's name: "Halab al-Shahba". Aleppo was famous for its architecture; for its attractive churches, mosques, schools, tombs and baths. As an important center of trade between the eastern Mediterranean kingdoms and the merchants of Venice, Aleppo became prosperous and famous in the centuries preceding the Ottoman era. Many of its "khans" (caravanserai) are still in use even today; one of them is called "Banadiqa Khan", "Banadiqa" in Arabic being the term for "inhabitants of Venice".

Hama Hama has been the home of many important Aramaic and Islam Kingdoms, whose people came because of the area’s fertile plains and abundant water resources.
The Citadel of Hama bears witness to this, which was a site of habitation from 6000 B.C. to the 14th century A.D.. The city also includes ancient churches with rare mosaics- a testimony to Hama’s continuing multicultural life –as well as gardens, orchards and the famous Norias (waterwheels), which line the Orontes River.

Homs is the third most important city in Syria. It lies 160 km to the north of Damascus. Like Petra and Palmyra, Homs was an Arab emirate in the 2nd century B.C. It was also the third station on the "Silk road" after Doura Europos and Palmyra.
Among the most significant historic constructions remaining in Homs is the mosque of Khaled ibn al-Walid. Two very tall white-stone minarets lend lightness to the imposing structure. The slender colonnade in black and white stone in horizontal rows is representative of traditional Syrian architecture.
Many churches still stand in Homs from the days of early Christianity in Syria. One of these churches is said to possess the girdle of the Blessed Virgin. The church of St. Elian is unique for its collection of fine frescoes discovered in 1970. These bear inscriptions in Greek and Arabic, and date back to the end of the 12th century.

Tadmur (Tadmor) Palmyra is like a pearl in the heart of the desert, Palmyra, rising from the sands, is one of the most graceful and splendid ancient sites in the East, for the glory and the greatness are still evident and fully years after its construction by the Arab Queen Zenobia. It remains one of most famous capitals of the ancient world.

Latakia a major port city, Saladin's Castle, Fronloq Forests and Al Samra Beah near Kasab.
Tartous a historical port city and historical small island called Arwad.

Syrian Kitchen:
Mazza syrian kitchen is varied and rich, in view of the fertility of Syrian lands and the abundance of their crops which enable the cook to be a master and to diversify in his choice and talent in the preparation of fresh meals made of vegetables, legumes and meats.
Restaurants as a starter restaurants offer the mazza, which is a table decorated with the various delicious pastries famous all over the world. Then you will get the main food. In some resturants you can ask for a beer or wine.
Fast food in syria you can have a sandwich of falafel (Piping hot pita, stuffed with vegetables, crisp falafel, and tahini sauce). It is the ultimate lunch or light dinner).
A sandwich of shawarma(wrap of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or a mixture thereof. The meat is placed on a spit, and may be grilled for as long as a day) could be a good choise.
Sweets: Syrian sweets are very known, for example Baklawa (sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey).
As a syrian citizen I recommend Nabulsia (hot dessert is sweet, is sprinkled with nuts and has a layer of delicious, chewy cheese underneath).

Syrians:
Syrians are very friendly and helpful. They are great believers in fate and frequently resign themselves to it. They also love proverbs. Here is an example: (Elle ma fe cher la-ahlo ma fe cher la hada - "One who has no good for his family has no good for anyone,").
Syrians stand close together, talk loudly, and use vigorous hand gestures.