General Information about Syria

Damascus, the capital, is considered the oldest city in the world, the alphabet found carved on a mud tablet in ugarit is the first alphabet known to history.

We find in Syria the oldest buildings, the oldest language and the oldest religions.Syria was a bridge between the east and the went and a meeting place for many nations. for thousandsof years the area between the euphrates and the mediterranean was a theater for historical change.it was both a battlefield and a front where old superpowers gathered.it is here that egypt, babylonia, and the old eastern empires met.discover by yourself the remains of the civilizations of mari and ugarit, the cities of zenobia as well as those of Greece, Rome, Assyria, Sumeria and Phoenicia.enjoy the sight of great fortresses, the wonderful Islamic mosques and magnificent castles of the middle ages. In ma,alula, the syrian village which springs from the rocks and which springs from the rocks and which witnessed the birth of christianity, the Bible stories live again. Time seems to stand still in this historic village. The language of jesus which is conveyed orally from parents to children, begin a spoken and not a written language. This pure and rich culture in a historic place inspires the visitor to discovery and wonderment. To know Syria is to have knowledge of a legendary world. Palmyra, for example, 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 its glory and greatness are still evident and fully 2000years after its construction by the arab queen zenobia, it remains one of the most famous capitals of the ancient world. Throughout syria there are witnesses to the varous ages of history from the ancient roman amphitheater of bos.rain the south to the aramaic district and citadel of aleppo you will find,extending for miles, the oldest markets in the world. In the north, also, are hama with its gigantic water wheels , the citadle of St.simon with its golden ruins reflecting the evening light and the long .dead towns of qalb lozeh, Al bara and tell mardikh of ebla. All these historical gems lie in a relatively small area. not very far from the beach, crac des chevaliers thrusts its dignified mass towords the sky;a striking example of 12th century building, it continues to preserve its medieval splendour. likewise Homs with its tomb of khaled Ibn Al Walid, the splendid mosaics of Afamia and the great burial places dating from the earliest Christians. Syria attracts the tourist. just open your eyes--you are surrounded by the past.

A journey across Syria is a journey of discovery in the world of art history, culture,and human relations. The first time visitor to Syria has a feeling of serenity,begin in a strange and singular world,with its special beauties
Here in Syria the orient starts its tradition of hospitality, greeting the tourist with a smiling face.....the farmer who presents the first pomegranate, the student who shows him the way,and the waiter who serveshim the way, and the waiter who serves him in a friendly manner
Tolerance and hospitality constitute the essence of the Arab character and help the visitor to feel welcome in a country which takes care of its visitors.

For most visitors, the first contact with Syria starts in Damascus. This copital with its 3 millions citizens, presents a combination of the ancient and the modern.Besides its famous Omayed mosque and the old Arab souks,its museums and ancient houses, there are commercial centers, modern hotels and libraries which contain the most important manuscripts.
The visitor can easily move about, and visit all parts of the country freely.

From both the human and the cultural side there are treasures which give pleasure to the visitors to Syria.

In Syria your curiosity will be aroused. The visitor will find facilities which are comparable with the best.First class hotels with internationally famous names and excellent service are available in Damascus while Lattakia on the coast, palmyra, and alep.po also have hotels of high standards.Become ac.quainted with Arab cuisine with its richness and variety. Sample the wide range of fruits and vegetables and the excellent local drinks.