Ten fun facts about Damascus

Fact 1
The city is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, although evidence only exists dating back to 9000 BC in the Barada basin but not until the 2nd millennium BC in the area of Damascus.

Fact 2
In 1979, the ancient city of Damascus was designated as one a list of the world's heritage sites which are in danger of being lost or destroyed.

Fact 3
While there are over 2,000 mosques in the city and most of the residents are Muslim, at least 10% are Christian and there is even a small Jewish community.

Fact 4
Damascus is home to the only stock exchange in the country of Syria called the 'Damascus stock exchange'.

Fact 5
In English and Latin, the name Damascus was imported from Greek but originated from Aramaic, translating out to 'a well watered place'.

Fact 6
It is the second largest city in Syria next to Aleppo, with a population of approximately 1,711,000 as of 2009.

Fact 7
The city is mentioned in the book of Genesis in the bible and is said to have existed during the time of the War of the Kings.

Fact 8
During 332 BC, the city and entire country of Syria was once occupied and conquered by Alexander the Great.

Fact 9
One of the oldest and biggest mosques in the world is located in Damascus called the 'Umayyad Mosque'.

Fact 10
In 2009, a real estate adviser listed office spaces in the city as the eighth most expensive in the world.

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Syria

Is situated in Southwest Asia and bordered by Lebanon, the Mediterranean Sea and the island of Cyprus in the West, Israel in the southwest, Jordan in the south, Iraq in the east and Turkey in the north