Syria :Quick Facts and Regions

Location
Flag
Quick Facts
Capital	Damascus
Government	Single party state
Currency	Syrian Pound (SYP)
Area	total: 185,180 km2 water: 1,550 km2 land: 183,630 km2
Population	19,747,586 (July 2008 est)
Language	Arabic
Religion	Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Electricity	220/50 Hz (European plug)
Country code	963
Internet TLD	.sy
Time Zone	UTC +2 (Winter) / +3 (Summer)

Regions Syria officially has 14 governorates, but the following conceptual division makes more sense for travelers: Regions of Syria Northwestern Syria Aleppo, one of the oldest cities in the world, as well as the Dead Cities, 700 abandoned settlements in the northwest of the country Hauran A volcanic plateau in the southwest of Syria, also includes the capital Damascus and its sphere of influence Orontes Valley The Orontes Valley, home to the towns of Hama and Homs Syrian Coast and Mountains Green and fertile, relatively Christian, somewhat liberal, and dominated by Phoenician and Crusader history Syrian Desert A vast empty desert with the oasis of Palmyra, as well the basin of the Euphrates, which is historically associated with the Assyrian and Babylonian history Occupied territory Golan Heights Occupied by Israel in 1967 and formally annexed in 1981, the Golan Heights is claimed by Syria. The annexation is not recognized by the United Nations. A small area of land centred on Quneitra was transferred back to Syria in 1974. This deserted town, kept in its ruined state as monument to the war (or as propaganda depending on your perspective) can be visited with permission from the Ministry of Interior (open 8AM-2PM, Sunday-Thursday, authorisation requires your passport and takes around 30mins).