Damascus
Damascus (Arabic: دمشق Dimashq [dɪˈmaʃq], Syrian: [dɪˈmɪʃeʔ]) is the capital and likely the largest city of Syria, following the decline in population of Aleppo due to the ongoing battle for the city. It is commonly known in Syria as ash-Sham (Arabic: الشام ash-Shām) and nicknamed as the City of Jasmine (Arabic: مدينة الياسمين Madīnat al-Yāsmīn). In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world,[3] Damascus is a major cultural and religious centre of the Levant. The city has an estimated population of 1,711,000 as of 2009.[2]
Homs
Homs (/hɔːms/;[1] Arabic: حمص / ALA-LC: Ḥimṣ), previously known as Emesa (Greek: Ἔμεσα Emesa),[2] is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is 501 metres (1,644 ft) above sea level and is located 162 kilometres (101 mi) north of Damascus.[3] Located on the Orontes River, Homs is also the central link between the interior cities and the Mediterranean coast.