Cities are made by settlements and inhabitants. Each city has its own culture and it is the symbol of civilization. Have you ever wondered about the oldest cities in the world?Â
This article is going to explore the Top 10 oldest cities in the world.
Overview Table:
| Rank | City | Country | Age | Population | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damascus | Syria | 11,000 | 2 million | 105 km² |
| 2 | Aleppo | Syria | 8,000 | 1.85 million | 182 km² |
| 3 | Byblos | Lebanon | 7,000 | N/A | N/A |
| 4 | Argos | Greece | 7,000 | 22,000 | 138.1 km² |
| 5 | Athens | Greece | 7,000 | N/A | N/A |
| 6 | Susa | Iran | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 7 | Erbil | Iraqi Kurdistan | N/A | 1.5 million | 115 km² |
| 8 | Sidon | Lebanon | 6,000 | N/A | 7.8 km² |
| 9 | Plovdiv | Bulgaria | 6,000 | 0.34 million | N/A |
| 10 | Varanasi | India | 5,000 | N/A | N/A |
1. Damascus, Syria
Damascus is the oldest city in the world. It is the capital of Syria. The city is known as the ‘City of Jasmine’. It is considered as the cultural hub of the Arab world. The city was established 11000 years ago. It is one of the holy cities of Islam. The city has a population of around 2 million with an area of 105 km². It’s also called the ‘pearl of the East’ for its beauty and culture. It got the status World Heritage Site site in 1979 by UNESCO.
2. Aleppo, Syria
Aleppo, The 800 years old city of Syria stands second in the list of top 10 oldest cities in the world. It is serving as the capital of Aleppo governorate. It is located between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia. The geographical advantages made it a trading hub during ancient times. The city has a total population of 1.85 million. The total area is 182 Km². Aleppo City is famous for its Arab poetry, music, cuisine and handicrafts. UNESCO approved this city as a World Heritage site in 1986. Aleppo Citadel is the symbol of Islamic architecture. Quwayq River flows through this city.
3. Byblos, Lebanon
Byblos is third in the list of the top 10 oldest cities in the world. It is 7000 years old. The local people called this city Jbeil. The first settlement happened between 8800 BC and 7000 BC. But around 5000 BC inhabitants started to Settle here. Byblos was a chief harbor for the export of cedar and other woods. it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Argos, Greece
Argos, the city in Greece holds the fourth position in the list of top 10 oldest cities in the world. It is 7000 years old. The total area of Argos is 138.1 km² with a population of 22000. The major source of the economy is agriculture, especially citrus production. It remained neutral during the Greco-Persian War.
5. Athens, Greece
Athens, the capital of Greece is in 5th place in the list of the top 10 oldest cities in the world. It is a 7000 years old city. Democracy, arts, science, philosophy and Western civilization originated here. The great philosophers Plato, Socrates, Pericles, Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus were born here. The Greek people believed the name Athens derived from the word Athena which is the god of wisdom. Athens has two UNESCO world heritage sites i.e Acropolis of Athens and Daphni monastery.
6. Susa, Iran
Susa is in the 6th position in the list of top 10 oldest cities in the world. The resourceful city was situated on the bank of the Tigris River. It is located in the lower Zagros mountain. In 2015 UNESCO accredited this place as a World Heritage site.Â
7. Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
Erbil, a city in Iraq, holds the seventh place in the list of the top 10 oldest cities in the world. A citadel in Erbil called Hawler Castle. The total population of Erbil is 1.5 Million. The total area is 115 km². In 2014 UNESCO accredited this place as a world heritage site.
8. Sidon, Lebanon
Sidon, The third largest city in Lebanon, is on the eighth position in the list of top 10 oldest cities. It is 6000 years old. The port on the Mediterranean Sea made the city suitable for trading. Shipbuilding is the major source of the economy. Glass production also made the city prosperous. The total area is 7.8 Km².Â
9. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria holds 9th place in the list of the Top 10 oldest cities in the world. It is 6000 years old. Its total population is 0.34 million. The Maritsa River flows over the city. It is located among the six hills.
10. Varanasi, India
The Indian city Varanasi Holds the tenth place in the list of Top 10 Oldest places in the world. It resides in the bank of the Ganges. Varanasi is a holy place for Hindus. It is also known as Kashi and Banaras. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is located on the bank of the Ganges which attracts Hindu pilgrims. It is a 5000 years old city.
FAQs:
- What is the oldest city in the world?
- Damascus, Syria, holds the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city, dating back 11,000 years.
- Which city ranks second in the list of oldest cities?
- Aleppo, Syria, stands as the second oldest city globally, with a history spanning over 8,000 years.
- What is the age of Byblos, and why is it significant?
- Byblos, Lebanon, dating back 7,000 years, is notable for its role as a key harbor for cedar exports and as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Where is Argos located, and why is it historically important?
- Argos, Greece, established 7,000 years ago, is known for its agricultural economy and neutrality during the Greco-Persian War.
- What is the significance of Athens in history?
- Athens, Greece, with a history of 7,000 years, is renowned for its contributions to democracy, arts, philosophy, and Western civilization.
- Where is Susa located, and why is it notable?
- Susa, Iran, is situated on the Tigris River and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, although its exact age is unspecified.
- What makes Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan historically significant?
- Erbil, Iraq, holds cultural importance with its Hawler Castle and UNESCO World Heritage site status, with a population of 1.5 million.
- What is the historical significance of Sidon in Lebanon?
- Sidon, Lebanon, established 6,000 years ago, thrived as a port city for trade and glass production along the Mediterranean Sea.
- Why is Plovdiv in Bulgaria historically important?
- Plovdiv, Bulgaria, dating back 6,000 years, is known for its location among six hills and as the second largest city in Bulgaria.
- What is the historical significance of Varanasi in India?
- Varanasi, India, founded 5,000 years ago, is a sacred city on the banks of the Ganges River, attracting Hindu pilgrims to sites like the Kashi Vishwanath temple.