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Damascus ( , also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. It is thought to be among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (see: ancient history), before Al Fayyum, and Gaziantep. Its current population is estimated at about 4.5 million. The city is a governorate by itself, and the capital of the governorate of Rif Dimashq (Rural Damascus).