Inhabited since prehistoric times, this city is widely regarded as the world's oldest city. Today it's the capital of its country. Which city is this?

While several ancient settlements vie for the title of "world's oldest," the capital of Syria presents one of the strongest cases for being the oldest continuously inhabited city on Earth. Archaeological digs have unearthed evidence of settlement dating back as far as 9000 BC. While other cities like Jericho may be technically older, they experienced long periods of abandonment. Damascus, however, is widely believed to have been a constantly populated urban center for at least 5,000 years, making its history a single, unbroken thread connecting the ancient world to the modern day.

This incredible longevity has made the city a crossroads of civilizations and a prized possession for numerous empires. It was a prominent city-state for the Aramaeans, who established its foundational water systems, before being conquered by figures like Alexander the Great (Review) and later absorbed into the Roman Empire. Its golden age arguably arrived in the 7th century when it became the capital of the vast Umayyad Caliphate, a center of power, art, and scholarship whose influence stretched from Spain to India.

This rich, layered history is still visible today. The Old City of Damascus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is enclosed by ancient walls and filled with bustling souqs, historic mosques, and hidden courtyards. Nicknamed the "City of Jasmine," it remains a vibrant, living capital, a testament to its remarkable resilience and enduring