1. An ancient city (widely regarded as the world's oldest) and present capital and largest city of Syria; according to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul (then known as Saul) underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.
2. Town in Arkansas (USA).
3. Town in Georgia (USA); zip code 31741.
4. Town in Virginia (USA); zip code 24236.
5. Unincorporated community in Maryland (USA).
(Arabic Dimashq) Capital of Syria, on the river Barada, SE of Beirut; It produces silk, wood products, and brass and copper ware. Said to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Damascus was an ancient city even in Old Testament times. Most notable of the old buildings is the Great Mosque, completed as a Christian church in the 5th century.
The Assyrians destroyed Damascus about 733 BC. In 332 BC it fell to one of the generals of Alexander the Great; in 63 BC it came under Roman rule. In AD 635 it was taken by the Arabs, and has since been captured many times, by Egyptians, Mongolians, and Turks. In 1918, during World War I, it was taken from the Turks by the British with Arab aid and in 1920 became the capital of French-mandated Syria. The “street which is called straight” is associated with St Paul, who was converted while on the road to Damascus. The tomb of Saladin is here. The fortress dates from 1219.