Syria Business Culture Guide

Syrian Business Culture: What International Professionals Should Know

As experts in Middle East cultural awareness training and working in the Arab world, we help professionals new to the region navigate the business culture. Doing business in Syria is a challenge for many reasons, and in this guide, we will share some cultural insights for those venturing into the country.

Syria sits at the heart of the Levant, connecting the Mediterranean coast with Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and the wider Arab world. Its cities and regions carry long histories of trade, administration, agriculture, craft, religion and migration.

Damascus is associated with government, administration, services, old urban families and political sensitivity, while Aleppo has long been known for commerce, manufacturing, merchant families and northern identity. Latakia and Tartus bring the coastal and port dimension, while Homs, Hama, the Hawran, the Euphrates valley and the Jazeerah add further layers of regional identity.

Syrian business culture is strongly relationship based. Personal trust, family reputation, social networks, introductions and long term credibility often matter as much as formal process. Many businesses have traditionally been family run, with decisions shaped by senior figures, owners, relatives and trusted advisers.

Business activity can be shaped by bureaucracy, legal complexity, shifting regulations, compliance issues, state legacy, informal influence and regional sensitivities. Political, sectarian and conflict related topics require care, and international organizations should carry out strong due diligence before entering partnerships, projects or commercial relationships.

For international professionals, success depends on cultural intelligence. Syrian counterparts may be warm, generous and highly sociable, but business also requires patience, discretion, respect for hierarchy, sensitivity to reputation and the ability to read indirect communication carefully.

After years of turmoil and fragmentation, Syria is beginning to project a new sense of national renewal, with the new flag symbolizing a break from the past and a cautious return to stability, rebuilding and public confidence.

Key Insights into Syrian Business Culture

Syrian business culture combines hospitality, family loyalty, personal relationships, reputation, hierarchy, social networks, indirect communication and political caution.

• Relationships, trust and personal connections are central to business progress
• Family businesses and family decision making play an important role
• Hospitality is tied to honor, generosity and reputation
• Status, class, seniority and social standing influence professional interactions
• Bureaucracy, state legacy and informal networks can shape how things get done
• Wasta and ma’rifa can influence access, introductions and problem solving
• Communication is often warm, courteous, indirect and high context
• Political, sectarian and conflict related topics require extreme care

These insights are especially important for organizations working with Syrian colleagues, diaspora teams, humanitarian partners, regional suppliers or Middle East stakeholders.

Do not make the mistake of assuming Syrian work practices mirror those of the Gulf; Syrians have long been well read, multilingual, globally aware and commercially astute, with business habits shaped by Levantine trade, education, family enterprise and urban merchant traditions.

Doing Business in Syria: Business Practices and Culture

Doing business in Syria requires trust, patience, local knowledge, careful relationship building and strong awareness of the wider business environment. Business practices in Syria are shaped by family firms, social networks, bureaucracy, reputation, seniority and the practical realities of working in a sensitive and changing context.

Business Relationships and Trust in Syria

Business in Syria is relationship led. People often want to know who you are, who introduced you, how you behave, and whether your commitment is likely to last beyond the immediate transaction.

• Personal introductions can carry weight
• Trust often develops through repeated interaction
• Family and friendship networks can influence business confidence
• Reputation matters strongly
• Hospitality is part of relationship building
• Long term commitment is valued more than quick wins

Syrians often place high value on friends and family, and this carries into business. A purely transactional approach may feel too cold or unreliable. Taking time to greet people properly, ask polite questions, accept hospitality and understand the human context behind the business discussion can make a significant difference.

Learn more about the role of relationships when doing business in the Middle East.

Family Businesses and Decision Making in Syria

Many Syrian businesses are family run or strongly influenced by family ownership and reputation. Even where a company appears formally structured, important decisions may still involve owners, senior relatives or trusted family advisers.

• Senior family members may have final authority
• Owner managers often carry strong influence
• Family reputation can shape risk taking and negotiation
• Younger managers may not be able to decide alone
• Trust may be built through family or long standing social connections
• Inherited leadership can influence how authority is understood

International professionals should avoid assuming that the person with the job title is the only decision maker. It is useful to understand who owns the business, who influences the owner, who manages daily operations and who must approve any commitment.

Social Networks, Wasta and Access

Social networks are central to understanding how business often works in Syria. The concepts of wasta and ma’rifa help explain the importance of influence, connections, trusted introductions and knowing the right person.

• Wasta can help secure introductions
• Ma’rifa can help people navigate systems
• Trusted intermediaries can build confidence
• Informal influence may sit outside formal structures
• Connections can help with bureaucracy and problem solving
• Networks should be handled ethically and transparently

This does not mean professionalism is absent. It means formal process is often supported by social process. International organizations should understand networks while also maintaining compliance, fairness and clear governance.

Meetings and Business Interactions in Syria

Syrian business meetings often begin with greetings, conversation and hospitality before the main business topic develops.

• Take time over greetings
• Use Arabic courtesies where appropriate
• Show respect to senior people first
• Expect tea, coffee or sweets in some meetings
• Allow time for small talk
• Do not rush immediately into difficult topics
• Be patient if the meeting moves indirectly toward the agenda

Common greetings such as ahlan wa sahlan, marhaba and as salaam alaikum help create warmth and respect. Simple phrases such as shukran, afwan and min fadlak or min fadlik can also show courtesy.

Hospitality is not a distraction from business. It is often part of the relationship building process.

Bureaucracy, Compliance and Due Diligence

Business in Syria requires careful attention to bureaucracy, legal complexity, partner verification and current regulatory conditions.

• Check current sanctions and trade rules
• Verify partners, ownership and beneficial control
• Use specialist legal and compliance advice
• Understand payment, banking and export control constraints
• Be cautious around public sector links and politically exposed persons
• Clarify permits, approvals and documentation
• Do not rely only on verbal assurances

Syria’s business environment has been shaped by state structures, informal networks, political change, conflict and economic uncertainty. Organizations should combine cultural awareness with rigorous due diligence.

Negotiation, Contracts and Follow Up

Negotiation in Syria often depends on trust, patience, reputation and careful communication.

• Avoid aggressive pressure tactics
• Build personal confidence before pushing for agreement
• Protect the dignity of the other party
• Clarify verbal understandings carefully
• Confirm agreements in writing
• Be patient with delays and internal consultation
• Follow up diplomatically

Verbal commitments may carry social weight, but written agreements, legal clarity and compliance checks remain essential. A good negotiation approach balances warmth with precision, flexibility with boundaries, and relationship building with practical risk management.

Syrian communication is often warm, expressive and highly personable, with friendliness shown through generous greetings, helpfulness, humor, hospitality and a genuine effort to make others feel welcomed and included.

Communication Style in Syrian Business Culture

The Syrian communication style is often warm, sociable, expressive and indirect, especially when disagreement, refusal, criticism or sensitive subjects are involved. Meaning may sit in tone, timing, silence, body language, status, context and what is not said directly.

Warmth, Courtesy and Hospitality in Communication

Syrian communication often begins with warmth and social connection. Greetings, hospitality language and small talk help create trust before business becomes serious.

• Begin with proper greetings
• Ask polite, general questions about wellbeing or family
• Do not treat small talk as wasted time
• Show appreciation for hospitality
• Use respectful language with senior people
• Allow the relationship to develop naturally

Syrians may be generous with conversation, help and welcome. In many settings, a visitor who asks for directions, advice or assistance may find people willing to help far beyond the minimum expected.

Indirect Communication and Reading Between the Lines

Syrian communication can be indirect when a direct answer may cause embarrassment, tension or loss of face.

• A polite “yes” may not always mean final agreement
• Inshallah may express intention, hope, uncertainty or polite flexibility
• Hesitation can signal concern
• Silence may carry meaning
• Body language and tone matter
• Follow up questions should be tactful
• Avoid forcing a direct “no” in public

International professionals from more direct cultures should listen carefully for context. If a Syrian counterpart appears positive but does not act, this may mean the matter is still being considered, blocked elsewhere or too difficult to refuse openly.

Saving Face, Reputation and Avoiding Public Embarrassment

Reputation and dignity are central to Syrian communication. Public criticism can damage trust quickly, especially when seniority, family name or professional standing are involved.

• Give negative feedback privately
• Avoid humiliating people in front of others
• Use tactful language when correcting mistakes
• Focus on the issue rather than blame
• Allow the person to recover dignity
• Use mediation where appropriate

This is especially important for managers. A blunt correction that feels efficient to one culture may feel disrespectful in Syria if it threatens public image or reputation.

Political Sensitivity and Public Speech

Political sensitivity is a critical communication skill when working with Syrians. Public and private speech may differ, and people may avoid direct comment on sensitive issues.

• Avoid putting people on the spot politically
• Do not ask intrusive questions about sect, politics or conflict
• Be careful with discussions about Israel, Palestine, leadership or the war
• Avoid public criticism of authorities or groups
• Do not assume people share one political view
• Let Syrian counterparts decide what they are comfortable discussing

The safest approach is respectful listening, restraint and awareness of context. Even among trusted colleagues, sensitive topics should be handled carefully.

Syrian work culture often places real value on sociability and informal relationship building, where shared meals, relaxed conversation and humor help colleagues build trust, exchange news and strengthen the personal connections behind professional cooperation.

Workplace Culture and Values in Syria

Syrian workplace culture is shaped by core Arab values such as family, friendship, loyalty, and hierarchy. Syrian colleagues may bring strong resilience, warmth and social intelligence to work, while also navigating economic pressure, uncertainty and complex identity layers.

Family, Friends and Loyalty

Family and close friendships are central to Syrian life. They provide support, security, advice, opportunity and identity.

• Family obligations can influence availability and priorities
• Friends may be treated almost like extended family
• Loyalty is highly valued
• Trust may develop through personal networks
• Family reputation can affect business behavior
• Social support is important during difficult times

In the workplace, this can influence hiring, introductions, problem solving, team loyalty and how people respond to pressure.

Honor, Reputation and Social Standing

Reputation matters strongly in Syrian society. People are often careful about how they, their family and their organization are seen by others.

• Public image matters
• Honor and dignity should be protected
• Criticism should be handled carefully
• Hospitality reflects reputation
• Family name can carry social meaning
• Professional reliability builds standing

In business, reputation is not only individual. It can attach to a family, company, city, community or wider network.

Status, Class and Hierarchy

Status and hierarchy influence Syrian workplace culture. Age, education, family background, urban identity, professional role and social class can all shape how authority is expressed.

• Senior people should be treated respectfully
• Titles and formal address may matter
• Older colleagues may expect deference
• Education carries status
• Old urban families may hold social prestige
• Class and connections can influence opportunity

Hierarchy does not mean relationships are cold. Syrian workplaces can be warm and sociable, but respect for seniority and position remains important.

Urban Professionalism and Rural Ties

Syria is highly urbanized, but many people retain strong rural, village or regional ties.

Damascus and Aleppo have long urban traditions, old merchant families and distinct city identities. At the same time, many Syrians maintain close relationships with villages, extended family networks or regional communities. These ties can influence trust, obligation, marriage, employment, social support and identity.

• Damascene identity may carry associations of old urban culture
• Aleppine identity is strongly linked to trade and craftsmanship
• Coastal, southern, northeastern and desert regions have distinct networks
• Rural family roots can remain important even for urban professionals
• Regional identity may affect language, food, networks and expectations

Understanding where someone is from can help explain social style, family networks and communication patterns.

Education, Youth and Resilience

Education is widely respected in Syria, and many younger Syrians are ambitious, digitally aware and internationally connected.

At the same time, younger professionals may have faced disrupted education, migration, unemployment, inflation, family separation or limited opportunities. This can create a mix of ambition, frustration, adaptability and resilience.

• Education carries social value
• Young professionals may be highly resourceful
• Digital communication and diaspora links can shape outlook
• Economic pressure may affect career choices
• Some professionals may work multiple jobs or support extended family
• Migration and displacement can shape identity and expectations

Managers should avoid treating Syrian professionals only through the lens of crisis. Many bring strong skills, adaptability, language ability and commercial awareness.

Religion, Identity and Diversity

Syria’s identity is multilayered and should never be reduced to one religion, sect or ethnic group.

Syrians may identify through city, region, family, religion, ethnicity, class, profession, politics, generation, diaspora experience or pan Arab identity. The country includes Sunni Muslims, Alawites, Druze, Isma’ilis, Christians, Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Syrian Turkmen, Yazidis and other communities.

• Identity can be sensitive
• Do not ask intrusive questions about sect or background
• Regional and family identity can matter as much as religion
• Religious diversity has deep historical roots
• Diaspora experience can reshape identity
• Political context can make identity discussions difficult

The practical rule is simple: do not categorize people too quickly.

Women, Work and Changing Expectations

Women are present in Syrian education, business, public life, professional work and family enterprises, but expectations can vary significantly.

Some environments may be socially conservative, while others are more urban, international or professionally mixed. Family background, city, class, sector, religion and generation can all shape expectations around women’s work.

• Treat women colleagues as professionals
• Avoid assumptions based on dress
• Be sensitive around cross gender greetings
• Use respectful titles and professional language
• Understand that family expectations may still influence working life
• Avoid personal questions that feel intrusive

The safest approach is professional respect, modest behavior and careful observation of the norms in that specific workplace.

Syrian Management Style

The Syrian management style is often hierarchical, relationship based and influenced by seniority, family dynamics, reputation and trust. Effective managers need to combine authority with personal connection, clarity with tact, and professionalism with cultural sensitivity.

Leadership, Hierarchy and Authority

Managers in Syria are often expected to provide direction, show authority and protect dignity.

• Seniority matters
• Owner managers may have strong influence
• Employees may avoid open disagreement with senior people
• Authority can be linked to age, family or position
• Respect should be visible
• Decisions may require informal consultation

Leadership is not only about rank. It is also about credibility, fairness, generosity, judgment and the ability to maintain relationships.

Managing Through Relationships

Managing Syrian teams requires personal trust as well as clear expectations.

• Build rapport before pushing difficult change
• Show interest in people as individuals
• Be aware of family obligations
• Communicate expectations clearly
• Follow up without sounding distrustful
• Recognize loyalty and reliability
• Protect dignity during stressful situations

A manager who relies only on formal process may struggle to build commitment. A manager who combines structure with personal respect is more likely to earn trust.

Managing Family Business Dynamics

Family business dynamics can shape authority, decision making and workplace behavior.

• Senior relatives may influence decisions
• Younger managers may need family approval
• Informal authority may sit outside the organogram
• Reputation can affect risk tolerance
• Disagreement may be handled privately
• Long standing loyalty may outweigh formal performance systems

When working with Syrian family businesses, take time to understand ownership, influence and decision pathways.

Managing Syrian Diaspora, Local and Regional Teams

Teams working with Syrians may include local Syrians, diaspora Syrians, refugees, regional Arabs and international staff.

• Be sensitive to displacement and family separation
• Avoid assumptions about political views
• Recognize differences between local and diaspora experiences
• Be aware of language preferences
• Create space for trust without forcing personal disclosure
• Avoid reducing people to conflict narratives

Syrian identity can carry deep emotional and political complexity. Managers should lead with respect, privacy and cultural awareness.

The challenges of doing business in Syria are inseparable from the damage caused by years of civil war, regional interference and economic collapse, which have badly affected infrastructure, institutions, trust, supply chains and the everyday realities of commercial life.

Challenges When Doing Business in Syria

Syria can be a complex business environment, and international professionals may face challenges if they underestimate relationships, bureaucracy, compliance, identity and political sensitivity.

• Rushing business before personal trust has developed
• Misreading politeness or indirect language as agreement
• Underestimating bureaucracy, approvals and legal complexity
• Ignoring sanctions, compliance or partner due diligence
• Assuming formal process reveals the full decision making picture
• Not understanding wasta, ma’rifa or informal influence
• Speaking carelessly about politics, sectarianism, Israel, Palestine, the conflict or leadership
• Overlooking regional differences between Damascus, Aleppo, the coast, the Hawran, the Euphrates region and the northeast

Most challenges come from moving too quickly, reading words too literally or failing to understand the wider network around the decision.

Tips for Doing Business in Syria

Working effectively with Syrians requires patience, courtesy, discretion and strong relationship skills.

• Build relationships before pushing business outcomes
• Use trusted introductions where possible
• Show respect for family, seniority and reputation
• Take hospitality seriously
• Avoid forcing or using a direct “no”
• Confirm agreements clearly and diplomatically
• Be patient with bureaucracy and follow up
• Understand who really influences decisions

The best approach is warm, respectful, cautious and well prepared.

Syrian business etiquette is built around warmth, respect and hospitality, so greetings should be unhurried, seniority acknowledged, dress kept smart and modest, and offers of tea, coffee or sweets received as part of the relationship rather than a distraction from business.

Business Etiquette in Syria

Syrian business etiquette is warm, formal, hospitality based and status aware. Respect is shown through greetings, titles, modest dress, patience, careful communication and appreciation of hospitality.

Greetings and Introductions in Syria

Greetings in Syria should be warm, respectful and unhurried.

• Shake hands with the right hand
• Greet senior people first
• Use Arabic greetings where appropriate
• Allow time for polite conversation
• Be sensitive around cross gender greetings
• Wait to see whether a woman offers her hand first
• Maintain respectful eye contact
• Avoid overly casual behavior in first meetings

Useful greetings include marhaba, ahlan wa sahlan, as salaam alaikum and the response wa alaikum salaam.

Names, Titles and Status in Syria

Titles and respectful address help show awareness of status, seniority and professional standing.

• Use Mr, Mrs, Dr or professional titles where appropriate
• Use family names until invited otherwise
• Show respect to elders and senior people
• Avoid moving too quickly to informality
• Let your counterpart set the tone
• Be aware that family name may carry social meaning

Status may come from age, education, business ownership, family background, public position or reputation. Read more about Arabic naming conventions and how to address people in the Middle East.

Business Card Etiquette in Syria

Business cards can help clarify role, organization and status.

• Present cards respectfully
• Use the right hand
• Include Arabic on one side where useful
• Make titles and roles clear
• Take a moment to read the card you receive
• Treat the exchange as part of the introduction

In a relationship based culture, business cards are useful, but personal credibility matters more than the card itself.

Dress Code and Professional Appearance in Syria

Professional dress in Syria should be smart, modest and appropriate to the setting.

• Dress conservatively for formal meetings
• Suits or smart business clothing are suitable in many professional contexts
• Women should choose modest professional clothing
• Avoid overly casual dress in first meetings
• Be especially careful in public sector or conservative environments
• Adjust to the sector, city and relationship

Smart appearance communicates respect for the people, the meeting and the relationship.

Tea, Coffee and Meeting Hospitality

Tea, coffee and sweets are part of the hospitality rhythm of Syrian business life.

• Accept tea or coffee where possible
• Show appreciation for hospitality
• Do not rush the social stage
• Use the right hand when receiving items
• Expect sweets or small refreshments in some settings
• Refuse gently if you must decline

Hospitality helps create warmth, confidence and connection. It should be treated as part of business etiquette.

Gift Giving in Syrian Business Culture

Gift giving is not always expected in business, but modest and thoughtful gifts may be appropriate after a relationship develops or when invited to a home.

• Keep gifts tasteful and not too expensive
• Sweets or high quality food gifts can be appropriate
• Use the right hand when giving or receiving
• Avoid alcohol unless you are certain it is acceptable
• Gifts for a host’s family may be appreciated
• Do not make the gift feel transactional

The gesture should support the relationship, not create pressure. Learn more about gift giving when doing business in the Middle East.

Nuts, dried fruits and quality sweets are popular gifts when visiting people in Syria, as they are thoughtful, shareable and well suited to a culture where hospitality, generosity and family gatherings are highly valued.

Social Etiquette and Cultural Norms in Syria

Syrian social etiquette is shaped by hospitality, family, friendship, modesty, reputation, and pride in cultural heritage. These social norms matter because professional relationships often develop through human connection.

Syrian Hospitality and Guest Behavior

Hospitality is central to Syrian social life. Guests are often treated with generosity, and the guest is expected to respond with appreciation, patience and respect.

• Accept hospitality when possible
• Thank your host warmly
• Do not rush away too quickly
• Respect seating arrangements
• Use the right hand when eating or receiving items
• Dress and behave modestly
• Avoid making your host feel rejected

Hospitality reflects family reputation and social standing. A generous welcome is a matter of pride.

Family, Friendship and Social Obligations

Family and friendship are core social anchors in Syria. These relationships can influence professional life, availability, obligations and trust.

• Family gatherings may involve extended relatives
• Friendships can become deep and long lasting
• Social obligations may take priority over work schedules
• Home invitations should be treated with respect
• Privacy and reputation matter
• Polite questions about family can build rapport

Business relationships often become stronger when people feel you understand the importance of family and social obligation.

Food, Café Culture and Social Life

Food and café culture are part of Syria’s social infrastructure. They create space for conversation, hospitality and informal trust.

Syrian cuisine is rich and regional. Mezze, hummus, mutabbal, tabbouleh, fattoush, kibbeh, yabrak, mahshi, freekeh, mujaddara, manakish, za’atar, labneh, olives and sweets all carry social meaning. Aleppo is especially known for food pride, pistachios and Aleppo pepper, while Damascus has its own traditions of sweets, cafés and old city hospitality.

Cafés, tea, coffee, juice bars and nargileh can all be part of informal social life. In business, these settings may support conversation and relationship building away from formal office structures.

Conversation Topics and Topics to Avoid

Syrians often appreciate respectful interest in their culture, history and people, but some topics require great care.

Good topics include:

• Syrian food and hospitality
• Damascus, Aleppo and regional heritage
• Family in general terms
• Arabic language and poetry
• Music, dance and cultural life
• Sport and football
• Historic sites such as Palmyra, the Umayyad Mosque, Krak des Chevaliers, Ugarit, Ebla and Mari
• Positive impressions of Syrian generosity and culture

Sensitive topics include:

• Domestic politics
• The conflict
• Sectarian identity
• Israel and Palestine (unless raised by your counterpart)
• Criticism of leadership or political groups
• Security services
• Personal finances
• Religion as debate

Interest in Syria is welcome. Careless political commentary is not.

National Pride, Heritage and Cultural Identity

Syrian pride is strongly connected to history, Arabic language, trade, culture and the country’s role in the wider Levant and Arab world.

Damascus is often associated with continuity and old urban civilization. Aleppo carries a strong identity of trade, craftsmanship and food culture. Palmyra, Ugarit, Ebla, Mari, the Umayyad Mosque, Krak des Chevaliers and the old souqs all connect Syria to ancient trade, religion, empire and scholarship.

This heritage matters in conversation because Syrians may feel strongly that their country should not be understood only through conflict. Respectful interest in Syria’s deeper history can help build trust and dignity.

Religion in Syria is deeply layered and interconnected, as seen in Damascus’s Umayyad Mosque, where traditions linked to John the Baptist and Imam Hussein sit within one sacred space, reflecting a society where Islamic, Christian and wider regional histories are often intertwined rather than neatly separated.

Religion and Language in Syria

Religion and language are important to understanding Syrian business culture because both shape identity, etiquette, holidays, communication and social expectations.

Islam and Business Life in Syria

Islam shapes public life, scheduling, holidays, modesty and social expectations in Syria, although levels of observance vary.

• Friday prayer can affect schedules
• Ramadan changes working hours and daily rhythms
• Eid holidays affect availability and travel
• Modesty is important in many public settings
• Religious expressions appear in everyday speech
• Business hospitality may change during fasting periods

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, and evenings may focus on iftar, family visits and social gatherings. International professionals should plan meetings and deadlines with this rhythm in mind.

Christian Communities and Religious Diversity

Syria has long established Christian communities and important Christian heritage.

Christian communities include Eastern Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant and other traditions. Places such as Maaloula, Sednaya, Damascus and Aleppo carry important Christian historical and cultural associations.

This diversity means religion in Syria should never be presented as one dimensional. Islam is the majority religion, but Christian communities have long been part of Syrian society, business and cultural life.

Alawites, Druze, Isma’ilis, Yazidis and Other Communities

Syria includes many religious and minority communities, including Alawites, Druze, Isma’ilis, Yazidis and others.

These identities can be tied to specific regions, histories and social networks, such as Alawite communities in the coastal mountains or Druze communities in Jabal al Arab and As Suwayda. However, identity is highly sensitive and should not be discussed casually or reduced to simple categories.

The practical lesson for international professionals is to avoid assumptions and let people describe their own identity if they choose to.

Arabic, Syrian Dialects and Minority Languages

Arabic is the official language and central to Syrian identity, education, religion and social connection.

• Syrian Arabic is widely used in everyday life
• Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal written contexts
• Damascene and Aleppine dialects carry strong urban identity
• Kurdish, Armenian, Syriac, Aramaic and other languages reflect Syria’s diversity
• Aramaic is still associated with a few villages
• English may be used by younger, urban and internationally connected professionals

Arabic is also a source of pride. Respect for the language, even by learning and using a few basic Arabic courtesies, can help build rapport.

Key Facts About Syria

• Location: Western Asia / Levant, bordering Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel / the Israeli occupied Golan Heights, and the Mediterranean Sea
• Capital: Damascus
• Population: 26 million +
• Major cities: Aleppo, Latakia, Homs, Hama, Deir az Zor, Qamishli and Tartus
• Official language: Arabic
• Currency: Syrian pound, often called the lira in Arabic