Capital of Syria, with 2,4
million inhabitants (2002 estimate).
Damascus
is situated on a plateau 690 metres above sea level, bordered by the
Anti-Lebanon Mountains
to the west, and the desert to the east. Damascus lies in the Ghutah
oasis, and is fed with water by the Barada river. It lies apparently
close to the Mediterranean Sea, but the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon
mountain ranges make the 80 km into a journey of 2-3 hours. Damascus has
an annual rainfall of between 150 mm and 200 mm, mainly falling between
November and February. Winters are generally cold, with daily averages
of as low as 5xxx. Summer average are 27xxx at the most, but
temperatures often get higher than 40xxx.
The name "Damascus"
comes from the pre-Semitic "Dimashka". The city is in Arabic also known
as "as-Sham" meaning "The Northern", indicating is geographical position
north of the Arab homelands.
Damascus
is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and reports
run back at least 3,500 years. Many claim that Damascus is the oldest
continued inhabited city in the world. While modern Damascus is a
standard Middle Eastern city, it was famous for centuries, and often
referred to as the "pearl of the East".
Damascus
is made up of a sizeable old city, divided into the market area,
Muslim area,
Christian area and the
Jewish area. All three groups are still represented in Damascus, even if
the Jewish community now only counts a few thousand.
The
modern city is mainly grey with little green, and most of the modern
buildings are influenced by Syria's weak economy.
Damascus has a
university, many museums, and embassies.
ECONOMY
The economy of Damascus is based upon governmental administrative
activities, processed food, clothing, and printed material.
Damascus still holds
traditional handicrafts up, such as high quality textiles, silk cloth,
leather goods, filigreed gold, silver objects, inlaid wooden, copper,
and brass articles.
The Ghutah oasis
produces fruits including olives and grapes, cereals and vegetables.
Among the livestock are cows, goats and sheep.
CULTURE
Damascus was from 661 to 750 the centre of
Islam, when the
Caliph used it as centre
of administration. This history is notable with buildings like the
Ummawiyy mosque.
Damascus has more
than 200 mosques, but only 70 are still in use. In addition to the Grand
Mosque, the mosques of Sinani-yah and Tekkeyah are notable.
3 daily newspaper
are published from Damascus, all closely controlled by the Syrian state.
A larger number of magazines, as well as much of Syria's book
publication are issued from Damascus.
TRANSPORTATION
Damascus importance as a trading hub has been reduced over the
centuries, and much of the trade that went through the city now uses the
modern means of transportation. While Syria's main port used to be
Beirut to the west of Damascus, this role is now played by Latakia to
the north, which lies much closer to Aleppo.
The earlier so
important trans-desert transport has totally been replaced by overseas
transport.
Damascus is well
connected to the rest of the country with highways, as well as with
Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. An international airport lies 20 km east of
the city centre, and is well connected to other international airports.
ADMINISTRATION
The local administration of Damascus is closely tied to the national.
The governor of Damascus plays a role even in national affairs, and most
important issues of Damascus are dealt with by the national
administration.
HISTORY
4th millennium BCE: Earliest traces of urban settlement near
Damascus.
15th century: According to Egyptian tablets, a region called "Dimashka"
was conquered by the Egyptians.
10th century: Dimashka is subjugated by
King David of Judah and
Israel.
732: Dimashka is conquered by the Assyrians.
7th century: Dimashka is conquered by the Babylonians.
6th century: Dimashka is conquered by the Persians.
333: Dimashka is conquerd by the Macedonians.
323: Dimashka becomes part of the Seleucid kingdom.
64: Dimashka is conquered by the Romans.
1st century: Christianity is introduced into Damascus, and it
becomes an important Christian town.
4th century: Dimashka becomes part of the Byzantine Empire
following the division of the Roman Empire.
635: Dimashka, a weak city state following years of wars, becomes
an easy, if not unwilling, prey for Muslim Arab troops.
661: Damascus becomes capital of the Caliph, hence centre of the
Muslim world.
705: The construction of the Great Mosque is started, aiming at
becoming the greatest mosque of all the Muslim world.
750: The Caliphate is moved from Damascus to Mesopotamia, with
the start of the development of the new city of Baghdad. From this time
on, Damascus is neglected and loses its international importance.
1076: Seljuq Turks take control over Damascus, making it one of
their most important cities.
1154: The Seljuq Nureddin captures Damascus, and makes it the
capital of his growing empire. Centuries of prosperity would follow.
1401: Timur Lenk captures Damascus and pillages the city. He
forced many of the artisans and workmen to move to Samarkand. Some
decades of economical weakness would follow.
1516: Damascus becomes part of the Ottoman Empire. The city would
remain an important commercial city.
1831: Damascus comes under Egyptian control of Muhammad Ali.
1860: A Muslim uprising results in destruction of large parts of
the Christian quarters and the death of many Christians. Many survivors
choose to emigrate, mainly to the Americas.
1903: The University of Damascus is founded.
1918 September: With the defeat in the World War 1, the
Ottomans leave Damascus.
1919: Damascus is declared capital of the new state of Syria.
— The Arab Academy is founded.
1920: French army takes control over Damascus in their campaign
of establishing a mandate by the League of Nations.
1925: French troops bombards Damascus in order to quell an
uprising.
1946 April: The mandate comes to an end, and Damascus
becomes capital of Syria.
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