The most comprehensive map of Syria is the one published by the Ministry of Tourism. It is available from the Ministry of Tourism and in the towns tourist information bureaus. Road maps published in Europe and covering Syria are usually sketchy, vague and inaccurate. Fortunately the helpfulness of the local inhabitants makes up for this. S peeds are restricted only where there are signs to that effect.
Petrol stations are to be found mainly in the environs of the larger towns.
Thus the basic facilities are good and travel by road, even to the most distant and inaccessible areas, would present no problems if the liberties that Syrian drivers take with their Highway Code did not oblige motorists to be doubly on the alert. Excessive speed, acrobatic overtaking, overtaking on corners, are all too common. And one mustn t forget the hazards of carts, sheep, goats, camels and wondering donkeys. Traffic police do exist, and they are well-equipped and competent, but they cannot be everywhere at once. Regular bus services link many parts of the country but they are difficult to use without some knowledge of written or spoken Arabic.