What is the Capital of Syria?

Syria is a country in the Middle East that’s been important in world politics for a long time. It has a super old history, in recent years, Syria has had a bad civil war starting in 2011. This war has caused a lot of suffering for the people there. In this article, we will learn about what is the capital of Syria, its former capitals, and much more.

Capital of Syria – Damascus

The capital city of Syria is Damascus. It’s super old and has been lived in for thousands of years. Damascus isn’t just where the government works, it’s also a significant center of trade, religion, and culture. People across the globe have traded and lived there for a long time, making it a big center for different cultures and ideas.

Damascus is famous for its beautiful buildings, especially the Umayyad Mosque, which is one of the biggest and oldest mosques ever built. The old part of Damascus is special too—it’s even on a list of important places called UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many tourists visit and see the narrow streets, old buildings, and busy markets there.

Today, Damascus is where the Syrian government and all the government offices are.

Where is Damascus?

Damascus, often referred to as the ‘pearl of the east’ is located in the southwest part of Syria, where Syria meets Lebanon and Jordan. It sits in a green area called the Ghouta Oasis, with the Anti-Lebanon Mountains to the west and the Syrian Desert to the east. The city is positioned along important trade paths, like the Silk Road from ancient times, it’s always been a busy place for trading and sharing different cultures.

Interesting Facts about Damascus

• In Damascus, these cool old machines called Water Wheels, or Norias, are found along the Barada River and have been used for centuries to bring water from the river to help water their crops.
• Straight Street, also known as “Al-Shāriʿ al-Mustaqīm” in Arabic, is one of the oldest and longest streets in the world. It goes right through the middle of Damascus. Even since Roman times, it’s kept its straight path.
• Damascus is important for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. It is discussed in important religious books like the Bible, the Quran, and other texts. All three religions think of Damascus as a holy city, which means it is important to them for their beliefs.
• Damascus has a special nickname: “The City of Jasmine.” People call it that because there are jasmine flowers all around the city. Jasmine is like a symbol of Damascus and is used to make perfumes and other traditional products.
• Souq al-Hamidiyya is a big, old marketplace in the Middle East. It’s super busy and like a maze with lots of small streets. You can find all sorts of things there, like spices, clothes, jewelry, and handmade crafts.
• Scholars attribute the creation of the Phoenician alphabet, the earliest known alphabet, to Damascus around 1000 BC. This unique alphabet serves as the foundation for writing systems worldwide, including the Latin alphabet used today.

Former Capitals of Syria

Before Damascus became the capital of Syria, other cities served as capitals at different times. Some of the former capitals of Syria include:

• Antioch

  Antioch was once the capital city of Roman Syria, but now it’s in southern Turkey. It was the capital from about 64 BCE until the 8th century AD when the Abbasid Caliphate became in charge.

• Aleppo

  At one time, Aleppo was the capital of Syria when the Umayyad Caliphate was in charge, back in the 8th century.

• Raqqa

  Raqqa became the capital of Syria under the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th and 9th centuries.

• Homs

  Homs served as the capital of Syria during various periods of history, including under the Mamluk Sultanate in the 13th century.

• Damascus (intermittently)

  While Damascus is now the permanent capital of Syria, it has also served as the capital during different historical periods.

Related Links

• Damascus Old City
• Key Facts of Syria
• Who Controls Syria?
• Is Golan Heights Part of Syria?