Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 18, 2026
Damascus is the capital city of Syria, located in the southwestern part of the country. Situated at approximately 33.5138° N latitude and 36.2765° E longitude, the city covers about 105 sq km (41 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 2.5 million people.
Location Map of Damascus, Syria
About Map: The map shows the location of Damascus in the Syria.
Where is Damascus Located?
More popularly known as "City of Jasmine", Damascus is the second largest and capital city of Syria. By virtue of its geographical location nearby the eastern foothills of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range it has semi-arid climate. Recently, in the year 2008, Damascus was chosen as "Arab Capital of Culture".
Moreover, besides the commercial and cultural activities, Damascus is capable enough for a greatly successful tourism industry. The reason behind this is - the abundance of cultural wealth and appreciably growth in Damascus's infrastructure led the development and establishment of high class living and transportation facilities.
Damascus, Damascus Governorate Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Damascus |
| Governorate | Damascus Governorate |
| Country | Syria |
| National Capital | Damascus |
| Region | Southwestern Syria |
| Latitude | 33.5138° N |
| Longitude | 36.2765° E |
| Elevation | 2,230 ft (680 m) |
| Land Area | 41 sq mi |
| Water Area | Includes rivers, springs and reservoirs |
| Total Area | 41 sq mi |
| Population (Latest Estimate) | Approximately 2.4 million |
| Population Density | Approximately 58,500 per sq mi |
| Postal Codes | 1000-1999 |
| Area Code | +963 11 |
| Time Zone Standard | Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3) |
| Time Zone Daylight | No daylight saving time observed |
| Currency | Syrian Pound (SYP) |
| Administrative Code | Damascus Governorate |
| National Representation | People's Assembly Constituencies |
Nearby Cities to Damascus, Syria
- Jaramana, Syria - 4 mi Southeast
- Darayya, Syria - 5 mi Southwest
- Al-Tall, Syria - 8 mi North
- Qatana, Syria - 13 mi Southwest
- Douma, Syria - 10 mi Northeast
- Harasta, Syria - 6 mi Northeast
- Sahnaya, Syria - 7 mi Southwest
- Zabadani, Syria - 28 mi Northwest
- Daraa, Syria - 63 mi South
- Homs, Syria - 101 mi North
Damascus, Syria Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54 | 35 | 2.5 |
| April | 73 | 48 | 1.0 |
| July | 96 | 66 | 0.0 |
| October | 81 | 55 | 0.4 |
| Annual | 76 | 51 | 9.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | BSk - Cold Semi-Arid |
| Annual Rainfall | Approximately 9 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | More than 300 sunny days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very Low |
| Snowfall | Occasional Light Snow |
Driving Distances from Damascus, Syria
| City | Governorate | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaramana | Rif Dimashq | 4 | 15 min |
| Darayya | Rif Dimashq | 5 | 15 min |
| Harasta | Rif Dimashq | 6 | 15 min |
| Sahnaya | Rif Dimashq | 7 | 20 min |
| Al-Tall | Rif Dimashq | 8 | 20 min |
| Douma | Rif Dimashq | 10 | 25 min |
| Qatana | Rif Dimashq | 13 | 30 min |
| Zabadani | Rif Dimashq | 28 | 45 min |
| Daraa | Daraa | 63 | 1 hr 20 min |
| Homs | Homs | 101 | 1 hr 50 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Damascus, Syria
| Airport Name | Damascus International Airport |
| IATA Code | DAM |
| Port | No Seaport |
| Major Highways | M5 Highway, Damascus-Homs Road, Damascus-Daraa Road |
| Train Service | Syrian Railways Regional Services |
| Local Transit Service | Buses, Minibuses and Taxis |
- M5 Highway - Syria's principal north-south route linking Damascus with Homs, Hama and Aleppo.
- Damascus-Homs Road - Major corridor connecting central Syria.
- Damascus-Daraa Road - Important route toward southern Syria and Jordan.
- Airport Highway - Direct connection between the city center and Damascus International Airport.
- Public Bus Network - Main local transportation system across urban districts.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Damascus, Syria
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Umayyad Mosque | Religious Landmark |
| Old City of Damascus | UNESCO Site |
| Azm Palace | Historic Palace |
| Al-Hamidiyah Souq | Traditional Market |
| National Museum of Damascus | Museum |
| Straight Street | Historic Street |
| Bab Sharqi | Historic Gate |
| Mount Qasioun | Scenic Viewpoint |
| Saladin Mausoleum | Historic Site |
| Tekkiye Mosque Complex | Religious Site |
Places to Visit in Damascus, Syria
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Umayyad Mosque | Religious Landmark |
| Old City of Damascus | UNESCO Site |
| Azm Palace | Historic Palace |
| Al-Hamidiyah Souq | Traditional Market |
| National Museum of Damascus | Museum |
| Straight Street | Historic Street |
| Bab Sharqi | Historic Gate |
| Mount Qasioun | Scenic Viewpoint |
| Saladin Mausoleum | Historic Site |
| Tekkiye Mosque Complex | Religious Site |
Colleges and Universities in Damascus, Syria
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Damascus | Public | University | Oldest university in Syria |
| Syrian Virtual University | Public | University | Online education |
| Arab International University | Private | University | Business and engineering |
| Al-Sham Private University | Private | University | Health sciences |
| Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology | Public | University | Science and technology |
Waterbodies in Damascus, Syria
Barada River, Awaj River, Damascus Springs, Qanawat Water Channels, Tishreen Reservoir, Al-Wahda Dam Reservoir, Ain Al-Fijeh Springs, Barada Basin, Wadi Barada, Damascus Oasis Waterways
Golf Courses in Damascus, Syria
Damascus Golf Club, Al-Jalaa Sports Club Golf Facility, Damascus Country Club Golf Grounds, Qasioun Recreation Golf Area, Syrian Sports City Golf Practice Facility
Damascus, Syria - Key Historical Facts
- Damascus is widely regarded as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history spanning thousands of years.
- The city served as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate during the seventh and eighth centuries.
- Its location along historic trade routes helped establish Damascus as a major commercial and cultural center.
- The Old City of Damascus contains some of the Middle East's most important religious and historical landmarks.
- Damascus has been influenced by numerous civilizations, including Aramaean, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman cultures.
- Today, it remains the political and administrative capital of Syria and an important center of Syrian heritage.
References
- Damascus Governorate
- Central Bureau of Statistics Syria
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Damascus