Damascus

Welcome to Damascus!

Damascus is a very special city. It is the capital of Syria. People often call it aš-Šām. It is known as the "City of Jasmine." This lovely name comes from the sweet-smelling flowers that grow there.

Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the world. People have lived there since around the year 3000 BC! It sits near the Anti-Lebanon mountains, about 80 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea. The city is on a plateau 680 metres above sea level. Because of the mountains, it does not get much rain, so the Barada River is very important. It gives the city water to drink and grow plants.

The city has many old and beautiful places. One of the most famous is the Umayyad Mosque, also called the Grand Mosque of Damascus. It is one of the largest mosques in the world. People have been praying there since Islam began. Inside, there is a special shrine that is said to hold the body of St. John the Baptist.

Damascus is also home to the Old City of Damascus. This area has many old buildings, markets, and streets that show the city's long history. It was added to the World Heritage List in 1979 because it is so important. Visitors can walk through old markets like Medhat Pasha Souq and see beautiful gates like Bab Sharqi.

The people of Damascus are friendly and proud of their city. They enjoy living in such a historic place. Damascus has many stories and memories from thousands of years ago, making it a wonderful place to learn about the past.