Syria

General
Field duty stations of UN organizations are based in the capital; Damascus.

Location and Geography
Syria is located in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey. Syria has a 605 km border with Iraq, a 76 km border with Israel, a 375 km border with Jordan, a 375 km border with Lebanon and an 822 km border with Turkey. The coastline along the Mediterranean is 193 km long. Syria is primarily semiarid and desert plateau.

Climate
The coastal region has a Mediterranean climate. The heat is never excessive and there is usually some breeze and humidity. March and April are often cloudy, even rainy months. The Syrian interior has a continental climate. Summers are hot but the humidity is low. Nights are often cool throughout the year. Damascus periodically has cold weather with snow or sleet.

People
The population of Syria is nearly 20 million - over 90 % of Arabs and the rest minorities - Kurds, Armenians, and other minorities.

Government
Syria is a republic under a military-dominated regime.

Religion
74% of Syrians are Sunni Muslim. 16% are other Muslim sects (Alawite, Druze). Christians make up 10% of the population. There are small Jewish communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo.

Language
Arabic is the official language. Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, and Circassian are widely understood. Some Syrians speak French and English.

Currency
The Syrian pound (SYP) is the official currency.

Time Zone
Syrian time is GMT+2.

Healthcare
Government hospitals and private clinics provide healthcare throughout the country. Private physicians and dentists accept patients by appointment.

Education
Pre-School. There are a number of international nursery schools. These generally operate from 8 am –1 pm.

Schools. There are four main international schools available in Damascus, providing national or international curricula in English or French.

Damascus is the main center of education in Syria. It is home to Damascus University, which is the oldest and by far the largest university in Syria.

Living Arrangements
The type, quality and cost of accommodation varies according to area and season. Most properties come fully furnished and tenants are able to negotiate with the landlord for the inclusion of basic kitchen and laundry supplies. Satellite TV is standard in all properties.

Transportation
Visitors can rent cars, hire taxis or use public transport. Public transport in Damascus depends extensively on minibuses. Regular mini-bus service links many parts of Damascus but they are difficult to use without some knowledge of written or spoken Arabic. Long-distance taxis, which one can hire individually or by joining a group, are also available. It is now law for taxi drivers to use the meter as opposed to negotiating the cost of a fare.

The main airport is Damascus International Airport, approximately 20 km away from the city center, with connections to many Asian, Europe, African, and recently, South American cities. Another international airport is in Allepo.

Communication
Internet is becoming increasingly accessible across Syria, particularly in the main cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Lattakia. Only a small number of rental properties and businesses have ADSL internet connection. Otherwise, the most common connection at home is dial-up. There is an increasing number of cafes, restaurants and hotels with a wireless internet connection. Telephone connection is provided through landline and mobile networks.

Living in Damascus
Damascus has a population of 1.6 million. The city lies about 80 km inland from the Mediterranean Sea on a 680 meter plateau.

Damascus has a wealth of historical sites dating back to many different periods of the city's history. The Umayyad Mosque is the most famous of the Islamic historic sites.

Damascus is considered by many to be a very safe city. Most inhabitants of Damascus live in apartments. Apartments for rent can be found through real estate or house agents, most of whom speak English well.