DOMINANT CITIES

DAMASCUS

Legend has it that on a journey from Mecca, the Prophet Mohammed

cast his gaze on Damascus but refused to enter the city because

he wanted to enter paradise only once—when he died. In this city

of legends, which vies for the title of the world’s oldest continually

inhabited city, this is but one of thousands of stories.

CAIRO

The origins of present-day Cairo can be traced back to the Egyptian

capital of Memphis, which is believed to have been founded in

the early fourth millennium BC near the head of the Nile delta,

south of the present city. The city spread to the north along the

east bank of the Nile, and its location has commanded political

power ever since.

BERLIN

Berlin, Germany’s capital and cultural centre, dates to the thirteenth

century and reached its peak during World War II when Hitler used it

as the base of the Nazi regime. It remains one of the most economically

powerful cities in the world but is better known for its art scene, nightlife

and modern architecture than anything else.

BAGHDAD

Baghdad is Iraq’s largest city and one of the most populous urban

areas in the Middle East. The city was founded in 762 CE as the

capital of the ʿAbbāsid dynasty, and for the next five hundred years it

was the most significant cultural centre of Arab and Islamic civilization

and one of the greatest cities in the world.

NEW YORK

New York has led America’s surge to the forefront of the world stage

over the past century and continues to be the capital of the world’s

economy and trade. It might not compare in terms of historical

significance with many other cities on this list, but its rapid rise to

the top is one of the most impressive in history nonetheless.

ALEXANDRIA

Named after the most famous king of antiquity, Alexander the Great,

Alexandria was the symbol of the union of two of the greatest civilizations:

Greek and Egyptian. During the Hellenic period the city became home

to the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders

of the Ancient World, and the Great Library, the largest library in antiquity.

ERIDU

Eridu is an ancient Sumerian city in what is now Iraq. It was long

considered the earliest city in southern Mesopotamia and is still

believed to be the oldest city in the world. It was established by

fishermen, peasants, and nomads, birthing the first major

settlement in human history.

PARIS

Paris has been the centre of European culture and fashion since the

Middle Ages. The city influenced modern Europe like no other and

remains to this day the most visited city in the world. Finally, during

the Enlightenment and the French Revolution Paris became one of

the global centres of social and political ideas that changed the world

and still influence it to this day.