Syria
General Information for Syria
Geo-political:
Capital City: Damascus. 33° 30.00′ N, 036° 18.00′ E
Nationality: (noun) Syrian(s), (adjective) Syrian.
Population: 19,398,448 (July 2020).
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 963.
Number of Internal Airports: 90 (2013).
Major Languages Spoken: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French and English.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Syrian Pound (SYP) of 100 Piastres.
Main Industries: Petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement,
oil seeds crushing and automobile assembly.
Agricultural Products: Wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets, beef, mutton, eggs,
poultry and milk.
Imports: Machinery, transport equipment, electric power machinery, food, livestock, metal,
metal products, chemicals, chemical products, plastics, yarn and paper.
Exports: Crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits, vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles,
clothing, meat, live animals and wheat.
Commodities: Crude: Production 25,000 bbl/d. Imports 87,660 bbl/d. Reserves 2,500,000,000 bbl.
Products: Production 111,600 bbl/d. Exports 12,520 bbl/d. Imports 38,080 bbl/d. LNG: Production 3,738,000,000 cu.m..
Reserves 240,700,000,000 cu.m..
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Contiguous Zone: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 193 km.
Climate: Mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December
to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, phosphates, chrome, manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble,
gypsum and hydropower.
Natural Hazards: Dust storms, sandstorms and Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and
an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries.
Terrain: Primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
Vessels calling at Syrian ports should communicate the following information through
a Syrian CRS when 50 n.m. off the Syrian coast:
- vessel's name (and former name, if any)
- nationality
- characteristics (i.e. type of vessel)
- position and time
- maritime passage to port of call
- speed
Vessels calling at Syrian ports should also contact the appropriate pilot station
or signal tower when entering Syrian territorial waters stating:
- vessel's name
- nationality
- nature of cargo
- ETA at the waiting zone.
POLLUTION:
Spill Notification Point:
Directorate General for Ports (for Oil & HNS). T: +963 (41) 473333. T: +963 (41) 473876. (24-hour). T: +963 (41) 472593. T: +963 (41) 472597. F: +963 (41) 475805.
[email protected]
MEDICAL:
The quality of healthcare has deteriorated significantly due to conflict. Health facilities
have been destroyed or damaged, many hospitals and clinics are no longer operating
and there are shortages of even the most basic medicines and medical supplies. There
are regular outbreaks of infectious diseases across the country. This is particularly
true in rural areas.
Rabies is considered a risk and has been reported in domestic animals in Syria. Bats
may also carry rabies-like viruses.
Vaccinations for cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, rabies, tetanus, typhoid
and tuberculosis are recommended.
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); 18 March (Revolution Day); 21 March (Mother's Day); Easter;
17 April (National Day); 1 May (Labour Day); 6 May (Martyr's Day); 8 December (Liberation
Day); 25 December (Christmas Day).
NOTICES:
Details of maritime laws in Syria can be found at:
www.gdp.gov.sy/en/e-books/laws
WEATHER/TIDES:
West of the Jabal an Nusayreyah, Syria has a Mediterranean influenced climate, characterised
by long, hot and mostly dry summers and mild, wet winters. Yearly rainfall ranges
from about 300 - 500 mm. in the coastal area, from about 200 mm. further inland around
Damascus, and from 127 mm. to less than 25 mm. in the desert area in the southeast.
Regional variations in temperature are comparatively slight, due to the relatively
small size of the country.
National Disasters:
Earthquakes are a risk in Syria. These can be high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure
and put lives at risk.
CONNECTIONS:
There are a limited number of international flights operating to and from Syria. Fighting
has, at various times, led to the temporary suspension of commercial flights and closure
of airports. Some international flights operate to/from Damascus and Aleppo airports.
Other airports remain closed.
BANKS:
As a result of the 14-year conflict, there are restrictions on financial transactions
in Syria and limitations on cash withdrawals in country. Prices for certain items
may be listed in US dollars. There is minimal or no use of electronic payment systems
to purchase goods.
SHORE LEAVE:
There are multiple terrorist groups operating in Syria. There have been a number of
terrorist attacks across Syria, including in major cities, resulting in large numbers
of casualties. Daesh, formerly known as ISIL/ISIS, continues to carry out regular
attacks, especially in, but not limited to, northeast Syria and Damascus.
Terrorist groups continue to pose a significant threat to civilians in Syria and have
shown they can carry out coordinated attacks against civilian targets. On 2 June 2025,
an attack in the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias, Damascus, killed at least
30 people.
Foreign nationals and the places they frequently visit could be considered legitimate
targets. This includes:
- public transport and transport hubs, such as airports
- border crossings
- public squares and other crowded places
- religious sites and ceremonies, and places of worship
- hotels, cafes and restaurants
- commercial venues, including markets and stores
- residential buildings and compounds
- sports venues and stadiums.
Attacks could also target:
- military sites, security forces and institutions
- oil facilities
- government buildings and embassies
- political offices and events
- police stations
- maritime facilities
- hospitals, schools and universities.
Types of attacks include shootings, large-scale co-ordinated bombings designed to
cause mass casualties, suicide bombs, vehicle bombs, rockets and mortars.
Take particular care during periods of national or religious significance and on public
holidays.
Terrorist Kidnap:
There is a very high threat of kidnapping from terrorists throughout Syria including
from Al-Qaeda (AQ) affiliated groups and Daesh. Terrorist groups operating in Syria
routinely use kidnapping as a tactic for financial or political gain. There have been
a number of kidnappings of foreign nationals, and some hostages have been killed.
Security Situation:
The situation in Syria remains volatile and dangerous after over a decade of conflict
and insecurity. The Bashar al-Assad regime ended in December 2024. The new Syrian
government in Damascus may lean towards conservative Islamist practices. Some areas
within Syria are controlled by local armed groups, and are not under control of the
Syrian government, including northeast Syria and Suwayda province in southern Syria.
Fighting and violence may occur around the country and is highly unpredictable. It
includes artillery and airstrikes.
Fighting has, at various times, led to the temporary suspension of commercial flights,
road closures, and the closure of some border crossings. Curfews may be imposed across
the country.
REPATRIATION:
If you hold Israeli or Iranian citizenship you cannot enter Syria. Those with Lebanese
citizenship should check entry restrictions before intended travel. If your passport
shows previous travel to Israel, you may be refused entry into Syria.
Dual Nationality:
Males holding dual Syrian citizenship or non-dual male citizens of Syrian origin,
even those born outside Syria, may be subject to compulsory military service unless
they receive a temporary or permanent exemption from a Syrian diplomatic mission abroad
prior to their entry into Syria.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
You must carry copies of your passport photo page and visa for identification.
AUTHORITY:
General Directorate of Ports, Algeria Street, PO Box 505, Lattakia, Syrian Arab Republic.
T: +963 (41) 257 2597, 257 3333.
F: +963 (41) 257 5805. [email protected] www.gdp.gov.sy
Contact: Admiral Eng Sammer Kouprasly, General Director of Ports.
