Damascus, Syria

Damascus is the capital, largest, and one of the oldest cities in Syria, located in the southwestern part of the country. Before the current civil war, Damascus was a thriving city with a large number of historical sites, museums, monuments, beautiful parks and gardens, universities, and modern shopping centers. Founded in the 3rd millennium BC, the city is an important cultural center of the Arab world and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Middle East. 

The Barada River, the main river of Damascus, flows through the city. Damascus International Airport serves as the main airport and is located about 20 kilometers from the city center. Among the main landmarks and points of interest in Damascus are the Umayyad Mosque, Mount Qasioun, the Old City, Nabi Habeel Mosque, St. Ananias Chapel, the Sayyida Ruqayya Mausoleum, Tekiyeh Al-Suleimaniyeh, Yalbugha Mosque, the Chapel of Saint Paul, the House of Saint Ananias, the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus, the Cathedral of the Dormition of Our Lady, Al-Adiliyah Madrasa, Khan Jaqmaq, Azem Palace, and the National Museum of Damascus. The Umayyad Mosque, located in the Old City, is one of the oldest and most significant mosques in the world.

The city is also home to several major educational and sports institutions, including Damascus University, Syrian Virtual University, the International University for Science and Technology, Arab International University, and the Al-Fayhaa Sports Complex.