Welcome to the Syria, located in the Middle East. Occupying an area slightly larger than North Dakota and twice the size of Portugal, Syria is bordered in the south-west by Lebanon, in the south by Jordan, in the east by Iraq and in the north by Turkey. The country has four geographical regions: a fertile 180km (112mi) long coastal strip; the Jebel an-Nusariyah and Jebel Lubnan ash-Sharquiyyeh mountain ranges which form a 2000m (6560ft) high border with Lebanon; the cultivated steppes inland from the mountain range; and the stony Syrian desert of the south-east. There's not much left of Syria's once-abundant mountain forests. The few remaining verdant bits are mostly yew, lime and fir trees, while elsewhere agriculture dominates. There's also very little to see in the way of animal life. Officially, wolves, hyenas, foxes, badgers, wild boar, jackals, deer, bears, squirrels and polecats roam the country, but you're unlikely to see anything more exciting than donkeys, goats and camels.
Syria has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, although inland it gets progressively drier and more inhospitable. On the coast, average daily temperatures range from 29°C (84°F) in summer (July) to 10°C (50°F) in winter (January). In the steppes area, where most of the cities are, expect temperatures of around 35°C (95°F) in summer and 12°C (54°F) in winter, while the desert can clock up temperatures of 46°C (115°F).
Syria is ruled by an authoritarian regime which exhibits the forms of a democratic system but in which President Asad wields almost absolute authority. His government has held power longer than any other since independence. In March 1992, Asad began his fourth 7-year term. His survival is due partly to a strong desire for political stability as well as to his government's success in giving groups such as religious minorities and peasant farmers a stake in society.
Syria is a middle-income developing country with a diversified economy based on agriculture, industry, and an expanding energy sector. During the 1960s, citing its state socialist ideology, the government nationalized most major enterprises and adopted economic policies designed to address regional and class disparities. Despite the positive growth rates of the past few years, this legacy of state intervention and price, trade, and foreign exchange controls still hampers economic growth. Despite a number of significant reforms and ambitious development projects of the early 1990s, Syria's economy still is slowed by large numbers of poorly performing public sector firms, low investment levels, and relatively low industrial and agricultural productivity.
Syrian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Syria of items such as weapons, narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, cheese, fruits, pharmaceuticals, modems, cosmetics, and some electrical appliances.
Syrian currency cannot be exchanged for any other currency except at government-approved exchange centers within Syria, and it cannot be exchanged back into foreign currency. Travelers must declare all foreign currency when they enter Syria. There are no foreign banks and no ATMs in Syria. Traveler's checks are not widely accepted.
Photography near military and many other government installations is prohibited, and should be limited to traditional tourist sites.