Damascus Map

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Description:

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Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria, situated in the southwestern part of the country. With a history spanning over 11,000 years, it is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city's population was estimated at around 2.5 million people (2022 estimate).

The ancient city was an important settlement for various civilizations, including the Arameans, Romans, and Arabs. The Old City of Damascus was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The historic area is surrounded by ancient walls and contains numerous significant landmarks, including the Umayyad Mosque, one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world, built in the 8th century.

Damascus has long been a vital center of craftssmanship, particularly famous for its damascene steel, textiles, and intricate woodwork. The city's traditional covered market, Al-Hamidiyah Souq, remains one of the largest and most vibrant bazaars in the Middle East, stretching for over a kilometer.

The city features a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and mild, slightly wet winters. The Barada River, which flows through Damascus, has been crucial to the city's development throughout history, creating an oasis in an otherwise arid region.

Modern Damascus serves as Syria's primary administrative, economic, and educational hub. The city houses several universities, including Damascus University, founded in 1923, making it one of the oldest higher education institutions in the Arab world. Despite the significant damage caused by the ongoing civil war since 2011, Damascus remains an important cultural and historical center in the Middle East.

The Facts:
Governorate: Damascus.
District: Damascus.
Population: ~ 2,500,000 (2022 estimate).
Metropolitan population: ~ 3,000,000.

Main sights: Citadel of Damascus, Damascus Straight Street, National Museum of Damascus, Great Mosque of Damascus, Bab Sharqi, Bab Tuma, Medhat Pasha Souq, Umayyad Mosque, Mausoleum of Saladin, Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque, Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque, Bab al-Faradis, Bab al-Salam, Bab Tuma, Bab Sharqi, Bab Kisan, Bab al-Saghir, Bab al-Jabiya, Chapel of Saint Paul, Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus, Cathedral of the Dormition of Our Lady, Saint George's Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, Khan As'ad Pasha, Azm Palace.