Orientation Guide to Syria and the Syrian Culture: Religion, Traditions, Family Life, Urban and Rural Populations, Geography, History, Economy, Society and Security

Syria—an important and influential country in the Middle East—sits at the juncture of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Syria’s history dates back many centuries and covers the avenues and crossroads of commerce and religion. Both the ancient Silk Road between the Mediterranean and China and the Pilgrim’s Road to Mecca pass through Syria. Although the country’s population is 86% Muslim, the ancient Semitic language of Aramaic—in which parts of the Hebrew Bible are written—is still spoken.
The old Roman road where the Apostle Paul was converted to Christianity, the ruins of the Roman Temple of Jupiter, and one of the most revered religious structures in Islam dating back to 9th century B.C.E. (the Umayyad Mosque) are all located in Damascus, which is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Saladin, the great medieval commander who led the Muslim armies against the Crusaders, is buried in Damascus, an ancient city that today is also modern and crowded with tourists.
Although Damascus is a peaceful city, it has been the site of some incidents of unrest in recent years. In September 2006, 4 people were killed and 13 wounded in an attack on the American Embassy.
The relationship between the United States and Syria has been tense in recent years. Syria helped the U.S. by providing information about al-Qaeda terrorists after the attacks on 11 September 2001. Syria had been tracking terrorist organizations since 1982 for its own purposes and shared its intelligence. Also, Syria joined the U.S.-led coalition against Saddam Hussein in 1990–1991.
Syria opposed the U.S. war in Iraq in 2003 and has remained on an international list of countries that support terrorist groups such as Hezbollah. The U.S. imposed economic sanctions against Syria in May 2004 and has accused Syria of allowing terrorists, weapons, and military supplies to cross its border with Iraq. Furthermore, since the 1967 war with Israel, there has been tension between Israel and Syria over the territory of the Golan Heights, which Syria wants back.
This book, produced by Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), provides comprehensive information about Syria and the Syrian Culture. Chapter topics include religion, traditions, family life and differences in the lifestyles of urban and rural populations as well as detailed discussion of geography, history and their economy, form of government, society and security and much more.
87 pages; dozens of photos, illustrations and charts, many in full color.
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