Damascus is one of the
oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city is well
placed as an agricultural oasis and an entré for both
north-south
and east-west overland trade. The Barada River, which springs from the
Anti-Lebanon mountain range northwest of the city, waters the fertile
Ghuta Oasis: gardens,
parks, and orchards are fed by the Barada and its tributaries.
Narrated AbudDarda':
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said:
The place of
assembly of the Muslims at the time of the war will be in al-Ghutah
near a city called Damascus, one of the best cities in Syria.
Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 37: Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim), Number 4285
^ River Yazid, branch of Barada, seen from
Al-Jissr Al-Abiyad, Damascus.
Highest water level in spring 2005.
Source: http://www.damasceneblog.com/
photos/damascus/dscn5516.html
Photo: Marcel-Etienne Dupret
Source: