Daraa, Capital city in southwestern Syria
Daraa stretches along the road that connects Damascus to Amman, serving as a key crossing point for traffic in southern Syria. The city sits roughly 90 kilometers south of the national capital and just a few kilometers from the Jordanian border.
The place appears in ancient Egyptian texts from the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III under the name Atharaa and later shows up in biblical writings as Edrei. Rulers changed over the centuries, but its location between Damascus and the south remained central.
The town brings together families who have lived here for generations and others who arrived in later decades, building new neighborhoods. This mix shows in the markets and streets, where different dialects and habits meet.
Travelers often use the town as a resting point on journeys between the Syrian capital and Jordan, with the border just a few kilometers away. Those stopping here find markets and shops where they can stock up on basics.
At the old railway station, several lines cross that once carried pilgrim trains and trading convoys through the region. This track connection still links distant places in the south and recalls times when trains stopped here regularly.
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