Damascus
Damascus is the capital city of Syrian Arab Republic. It is though not the largest city in the country is as the case with most other capital cities across the world which are the largest in their respective countries in terms of population and geographical area. The largest city by population and geographical area in Syria is Aleppo.
Geography
Damascus lies to the northwest of Syria approximately 80 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea. The city covers an area of approximately 105 square kilometers. About half of the town is totally urban while the other part is sub-urban (Jabal Qasioun).
Population
It has an estimated population of 1,711,000 people according to the 2009 official census results. Majority of the residents of the city are Muslims by faith.
Tourist attraction sites
There are several tourist attraction sites in Damascus city like the walls and gates of Damascus, khans, madrassas, church and Islamic sites among others. All these sites contain historical collections and preservations on the history of Syria ranging from the Ottoman rule and Mamluk period among others.
Owning property in Damascus
Most of the real property in Damascus is held by the native Syrian nationals. This is primarily due to the laws which were in existence up to late last year (2010) when the government enacted laws allowing non Syrians to own real property in the Islamic republic. Price of 3/4 bed villa/house in the town costs anything between 109 US dollars and 214 US dollars per month. Properties located at the city’s interior are the most expensive and the price goes on reducing as you head towards the suburban areas. The Price of 2 Bed Flat/Apartment ranges from 89 US dollars to 110 US per month depending on the location of the property among other factors like security, accessibility by road etc.
The price of homes and property in Damascus has been steadily decreasing and today averages about US dollars 225,500. This is depreciation of about 43.3% compared to the prices which were available for the smear property on 2010 at the same period of the year. The average rent of homes in Damascus is approximately $ 90 for two bedrooms apartments, approximately $150 for three bedrooms and around $ 200 for 4 bedrooms. The land prices in Damascus vary depending on the location and size the land being sold. Lands near the capital city center area normally very expensive and a farm may go for around $ 2,000,000. There are several home and property ownership plans in Damascus from the local Syrian banks ranging from Mortgages to charges among others. Most of them are however available to local Syrian purchasers and not foreigners.
Local News
Damascus residents hope to paint their pride on water tower - Gazette.Net: Maryland Community News Online
Published 19:55, 17th May GMT
Syrian Christians Live In Uneasy Alliance With Bashar Assad - Huffington Post
Published 18:32, 16th May GMT
Syrian Heart Patients Set to Feel Economy's Squeeze - BusinessWeek
Published 15:06, 17th May GMT
Islamic Group Denies Syria Attack, As Opposition Keeps Moderate Leader - International Business Times
Published 16:23, 15th May GMT
Local Roundup: Century routs Damascus, heads back to state semis - Carroll County Times
Published 02:51, 17th May GMT
Damascus Suicide Car Bombers Kill 55 - Voice of America (blog)
Published 17:16, 10th May GMT
Video: Syria terror group claims credit for deadly Damascus blasts - CNN
Published 09:46, 12th May GMT
Inside Syrian rebel stronghold: 'It is as if the city is on mute' - msnbc.com (blog)
Published 10:15, 17th May GMT
- retrieved via Google News