Damascus is the capital of Syria. Founded in 2500 BC, it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The name ‘Damascus’ is derived from an old Aramaic name ‘Darmeseq’ which means “a well-watered place”. The city was inhabited in 8000-10,000 BC.
The Aramaeans were in charge of the city earlier. Later Romans and Umayyads took charge. In 732, Tiglath-Pileser III captured and destroyed the city. The Neo-Babylonian rule of Nebuchadnezzar, which began in 572 BC, came to an end in 538 BC with the capture of the city by the Persians under Cyrus. The city was then made the capital of the Persian province of Syria.
Area & Location:
Located about 80 km inland from Mediterranean Sea, Damascus is situated at 33º30’00? Latitude North and 36º18’00? Longitude East. The city lies on a plateau 680m above sea level. It has a population of about 4.5 million.
Tourist Attractions:
The city, which has many historical sites, attracts tourists from far and wide.
Transportation:
Damascus has an extensive transportation facility. It is an important trading hub of the country. ts port acts as the major center for trade in the country. Its road system with well-connected highways, link the city with Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The international airport is the main access to the city from other countries.
Hotels:
The hotels in Damascus serve lip-smacking dishes to its guests. The refurbished rooms and well-maintained gardens give good experience that relaxes the minds of the people. Some of the hotels that welcomes tourists are Four Seasons Hotel Damascus, Beit Al Mamlouka, Sheraton Damascus Hotel and Towers, Omayad Hotel, Le Meridien Damascus, Cham Palace Damascus, Al Majed Hotel and Ebla Cham Palace Damascus.
Places of Attraction:
The various historical monuments in the city remind the visitors of the ancient rulers. The Citadel of Damascus, St. Thomas’s Gate and Umayyad Mosque catch the sight of the visotors. There are six extant city gates for Damascus. Bab al-Faraj, Bab al-Faradis, Bab al-Salam, Bab Touma, Bab Sharqi, Bab Kisan, al-Bab al-Saghir, Bab al-Jabiya are the main gates of the city.