Most of the people live in apartments, but some have beautiful houses. Cultural attractions in Damascus include the University of Damascus, the National Library, museums, and theaters. The city has many fine works of Islamic architecture. Damascus is the chief Syrian center of manufacturing, trade, tourism, and banking and other financial activities. Textile production and food processing are two of the city's largest industries.
Fruit grown in nearby orchards is processed and canned in Damascus.
In the old section of the city, craftworkers sell fabrics, metalware, and many other products. Most of the people of Damascus use buses and taxis for local transportation. An international airport lies just outside the city. The Muslim Arabs captured Damascus from the Byzantines in A.D. 635. Under the leadership of the Umayyad dynasty, the Muslim Arabs made Damascus the capital of their vast empire in 661.