the capital of Syria, in the southwest: reputedly the oldest city in the world, having been inhabited continuously since before 2000 bc. Pop: 2 565 670 (2015 est)
Arabic names: Dimashq, Esh Sham (ɛʃ ʃæm)
Damascus in American English
(dəˈmæskəs)
capital of Syria, in the SW part: an ancient city dating to c. 2,000 b.c.: pop. 1,497,000