Damascus is widely considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of settlement dating back over 11,000 years. Known as the 'City of Jasmines,' it was a major center of the Umayyad Caliphate and a key stop on the Silk Road. The Old City is home to the Umayyad Mosque, one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world, which is unique for housing a shrine said to contain the head of John the Baptist (honored by both Muslims and Christians). Damascus was historically famous for its 'Damask' steel—used to forge legendary sword blades—and its intricate silk textiles. Despite the modern conflict, the city's ancient gates and souks (markets) remain symbols of its enduring history. It sits in a fertile oasis known as the Ghouta, fed by the Barada River, which allowed the city to thrive in an otherwise arid region.