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Damascus (Syria)
1. Country Info
| Capital | Damascus |
|---|---|
| Climate | Syria’s has mostly a desert climate, with hot, sunny summers (June to August) and cold winters (December to February). Winters are milder along the coast, but wet, and humidity is higher in summer. Snowfall is common in winter on the mountains. Summer temperatures can reach in excess of 35°C (95°F) during the day, but evenings are generally cool. |
| Geographic Location | Situated in the Middle East, Syria has a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea between Turkey and Lebanon. It has land borders with Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. |
| Time Zone | GMT +2 |
| Population | 18.389.000 |
| Language | Arabic |
| Other Languages | English, French, Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian |
| Currency | Syrian Pound |
| Telephone | The international dialing code (to): 00963, The international dialing code (from) 00 + the related country code |
| Mobile Phone | GSM 900/1800 |
| Important Phone Nos. | Ambulance 110, Police 112, Fire Brigade 113 |
| Internet | .sy |
| Opening Hours | Banks: 8.30 am – 16.30 pm (Sun-Thurs) Shops: 09.30 am – 21.00 pm (Sat-Thurs, in summer), 09.30 am – 20.00 pm (Sun-Thurs, winter) Public Offices: 8.30 am – 15.00 pm (Sun-Thurs) |
| Electric | 220V 50Hz |
2. General Info
Syria is located in the Middle East, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Syria consists mostly of arid plateau, although the northwest part of the country bordering the Mediterranean is fairly green. The Northeast of the country "Al Jazira" and the South "Hawran" are important agricultural areas. The Euphrates, Syria's most important river, crosses the country in the east. It is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Civilization".
The Syrian economy is based on agriculture, oil, industry and tourism. The country, because of its historic diversity hosts sights of Persian, Roman, Byzantine heritage which attract millions of tourists every year.
Syria is located in the Middle East, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Syria consists mostly of arid plateau, although the northwest part of the country bordering the Mediterranean is fairly green. The Northeast of the country "Al Jazira" and the South "Hawran" are important agricultural areas. The Euphrates, Syria's most important river, crosses the country in the east. It is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Civilization".
The Syrian economy is based on agriculture, oil, industry and tourism. The country, because of its historic diversity hosts sights of Persian, Roman, Byzantine heritage which attract millions of tourists every year.
3. City Guide
What to do, what to see?
The Omayyad Mosque (early 8th century) is a must-see. Before you enter the mosque you’ll pass by Saladin’s Mausoleum also included in the admission price. Beyond that a gate leads into the courtyard. Take time to walk around and admire the three minarets and the beautiful gold and green mosaics especially on the main portal and the raised treasury. Around the mosque are several khans (old hostelries for travelling merchants and pilgrims) and madrasas (theological schools).
In the Old City near the Citadel, visitors can find Azam Palace. Once the governor's palace, it is now a cultural history museum.
For a good view of Damascus take a taxi up to Mt. Kassioun.
The 2000-year-old Roman Via Recta runs the entire length of the old city. The halfway point is marked by a Roman. Be sure to see the Nassan Palace an opulent home-cum-museum near Bab Sharqi (East Gate) and a short walk north of there the Chapel of Ananias.
For more quiet time and relaxation visit one of the many Hammam such as Hammam Nureddin (800 years old and the most famous but a bit touristy).
Where to eat?
In order to really experience local Syrian cuisine, be sure to visit a section of Damascus called Midan. It lies south of the old city and can easily be reached by walking south from the western entrance to Souq al-Hamadiyya or from Bab Saghir. There is a main street there called Jazmatiya which offers an unlimited amount of shawerma & falafel stands, butcher shops/restaurants and plenty of Syrian pastry shops.
Street food in Damascus is cheap, plentiful and hygienic. Some of the best food can be sampled around the area of Bab Touma where most of the foreign students live.
In the Old city, head for Straight Street and its variety of tastes and falvours.
Where to shop?
Al-Qaimariya Street runs east towards the Christian Quarter from the ruins of the Roman Gate just east of the Omayyad Mosque. It is a charming street, paved with cobblestones, which contains numerous small shops that make and sell Syrian arts and crafts.
The Hamadiyeh souk is a straight line of 500 meters from the west of the old city to the Ommayyad Mosque. The shops in Hamadiyeh sell almost everything from exquisite handmade brocades to mosaic, and copper inlaid with silver. Ice cream, sweets, and the delicious `tamary ka'ak' are continuously at our disposal as you walk through the souk.
You will find Western fashion, accessories and jewels in some of the luxurious and modern shopping centres that have started spreading all over town.
What to do, what to see?
The Omayyad Mosque (early 8th century) is a must-see. Before you enter the mosque you’ll pass by Saladin’s Mausoleum also included in the admission price. Beyond that a gate leads into the courtyard. Take time to walk around and admire the three minarets and the beautiful gold and green mosaics especially on the main portal and the raised treasury. Around the mosque are several khans (old hostelries for travelling merchants and pilgrims) and madrasas (theological schools).
In the Old City near the Citadel, visitors can find Azam Palace. Once the governor's palace, it is now a cultural history museum.
For a good view of Damascus take a taxi up to Mt. Kassioun.
The 2000-year-old Roman Via Recta runs the entire length of the old city. The halfway point is marked by a Roman. Be sure to see the Nassan Palace an opulent home-cum-museum near Bab Sharqi (East Gate) and a short walk north of there the Chapel of Ananias.
For more quiet time and relaxation visit one of the many Hammam such as Hammam Nureddin (800 years old and the most famous but a bit touristy).
Where to eat?
In order to really experience local Syrian cuisine, be sure to visit a section of Damascus called Midan. It lies south of the old city and can easily be reached by walking south from the western entrance to Souq al-Hamadiyya or from Bab Saghir. There is a main street there called Jazmatiya which offers an unlimited amount of shawerma & falafel stands, butcher shops/restaurants and plenty of Syrian pastry shops.
Street food in Damascus is cheap, plentiful and hygienic. Some of the best food can be sampled around the area of Bab Touma where most of the foreign students live.
In the Old city, head for Straight Street and its variety of tastes and falvours.
Where to shop?
Al-Qaimariya Street runs east towards the Christian Quarter from the ruins of the Roman Gate just east of the Omayyad Mosque. It is a charming street, paved with cobblestones, which contains numerous small shops that make and sell Syrian arts and crafts.
The Hamadiyeh souk is a straight line of 500 meters from the west of the old city to the Ommayyad Mosque. The shops in Hamadiyeh sell almost everything from exquisite handmade brocades to mosaic, and copper inlaid with silver. Ice cream, sweets, and the delicious `tamary ka'ak' are continuously at our disposal as you walk through the souk.
You will find Western fashion, accessories and jewels in some of the luxurious and modern shopping centres that have started spreading all over town.
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