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Syria |
Facts about country
| Capital | Damascus |
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Population |
17 Million |
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Main Languages |
Arabic, English, Kurdish, Armenian, Turkish |
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Electricity |
2 Plug System 220 Volts 50Hz |
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Currency |
Syrian pound (£S) |
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Exchange Rate for US $ as of May 2001 |
50 SP per 1 US$ |
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Safe to Drink Tap Water |
No |
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Size |
185180 sq km |
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Transport |
bus, minibus, taxi, |
| Cash Machines (ATMS) | No |
| Credit Card Usage | No |
| Religion | Muslim, Christian |
| Measurement System | Metric System |
Recommended Budget per Day in US $
| Total Budget per Person | Accommodation | Meals | Transportation | Other |
| 15 $ | 4 $ | 3 $ | 3 $ | 5 $ |
Main things to See (we give descriptions only on places we visited)
| Things to See | Visited | Brief Description | Recommend (10 is best 1 is don't bother) |
| Damascus | Y | It is Syria's largest city and the capital. The main sites are the Old City, Souq al-Hamadiyyeh, and the Omayyad Mosque. The National Museum is also worth taking a look at. The city has a taste and flair of its own. | 8 |
| Aleppo | Y | This is Syria's second largest city. The main attraction is the Citadel which dominates the city. From the Citadel one has a beautiful view of the whole city. The covered souqs are also a site to see. | 7 |
| Palmyra | Y | This is the main attraction in Syria. Palmyra is in the middle of the desert, actually middle of nowhere. Palymra is an ancient city where many ruins stand today. From the hill above where a crusaders castle lies one has a great view of the city and a great view of the sunset. | 10 |
| Crac des Chevaliers | Y | A great Crusader Castle that has been well preserved. It is a major structure with some great views of the surrounding areas. | 8 |
| Hama | Y | The main attractions in Hama are the huge wooden water wheels and the citadel overlooking the city. There is also the Grand Mosque and Azem Palace & Museum. | 7 |
| Golan Heights | Y | Golan Heights from the Syria Side. | 7 |
| Qala'at Samaan | N | ||
| Rasafeh | N | ||
| Bosra ash-Sham | N | ||
Popular activities and Tours (Being not included does not mean they do not exist)
| Hiking / Trekking | x |
| Scuba Diving | |
| Historical Sites | x |
| Sightseeing tours | x |
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Ballooning |
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Bungy Jumping |
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Safaris |
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| Boat tours | |
| Fishing | |
| Horseback riding | |
| Canoeing | |
| Camping | |
| River Rafting | |
| Sky Diving | |
| Abseiling | |
| Surfing | |
| Windsurfing | |
| Kayaking | |
| Sailing | |
| Mountain biking | |
| Rollerblading | |
| Motorbike | |
| Sand boarding | |
| Snorkeling | |
| Water Skiing | |
| Others Turkish Bath | x |
Feeling and Opinions on Syria
Syria is a very inexpensive country to travel in, except for the visas. Make sure you have an International Student Card. One saves 90 % on admission fees to sites and museums. The main attraction Palmyra is absolutely worth seeing. The people of Syria are also very friendly and helpful. We did not feel any pressure or presence from the secrete police or anything similar to that. It is also very easy to travel in with a good bus system.
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Maren & Kirk