Top 10 Oldest Cities Still Inhabited Today

This ancient city has been continuously inhabited since around 6300 BC, making it one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world. As the capital of Syria, Damascus is a hub of cultural and historical significance, with many archaeological sites and landmarks within its limits. The city's rich history is reflected in its architecture, which features a mix of ancient and modern styles, with over 3 million inhabitants calling it home. Damascus has been a major center of trade and commerce since the Middle Ages, with merchants and traders from all over the region passing through its streets.

Located in Egypt, Faiyum is one of the oldest cities on Earth, with evidence of human habitation dating back to around 5000 BC. This ancient city was an important center for trade and commerce during ancient Egypt, with many tombs and temples built along the Nile River. Today, Faiyum has a population of just over 200,000 people, making it one of the most sparsely populated cities on Earth. Visitors to Faiyum can explore the ruins of ancient temples and tombs, including the famous Step Pyramid.

Located in the West Bank, Jericho is considered one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world, with evidence of human habitation dating back around 10,000 BC. This ancient city was once the center of a thriving civilization, with many notable landmarks such as the Church of Saint Catherine and the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site. Today, Jericho has a population of just over 18,000 people, making it one of the smallest cities in the world. Visitors to Jericho can explore its ancient walls and ruins.

Located in Italy, Pompeii is an ancient Roman city that was destroyed by volcanic eruptions around 79 AD. This once-thriving city has been frozen in time for over 1,800 years, with many buildings and artifacts still intact. Today, Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of visitors each year. The city's ruins are remarkably well-preserved, giving visitors a glimpse into life in ancient Rome.

Located in India, Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, with evidence of human habitation dating back around 4,000 BC. This sacred city has been an important center for Hinduism and Buddhism for thousands of years, with many notable landmarks such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Today, Varanasi has a population of over 3 million people, making it one of the most populous cities in India.

Located in Tibet, Lhasa is an ancient city that was once the capital of the Tibetan Empire. This sacred city has been continuously inhabited for around 1,000 years, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 7th century AD. Today, Lhasa has a population of just over 500,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated cities in Tibet.

Located in Greece, Athens is an ancient city that was once home to some of the greatest figures in Western philosophy and politics. This city has been continuously inhabited for around 3,400 years, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 5th millennium BC. Today, Athens has a population of just over 664,000 people, making it one of the most populous cities in Greece.

Located in Egypt, Cairo is an ancient city that was once the capital of the Fatimid and Mamluk dynasties. This city has been continuously inhabited for around 1,200 years, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 10th century AD. Today, Cairo has a population of over 20 million people, making it one of the most populous cities in Africa.

Located in modern-day Turkey, Constantinople was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire and is now known as Istanbul. This ancient city has been continuously inhabited for around 2,500 years, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 6th century BC. Today, Istanbul has a population of over 14 million people, making it one of the most populous cities in Turkey.

Located in Iraq, Baghdad is an ancient city that was once the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and is now known as the cultural and intellectual hub of the Middle East. This city has been continuously inhabited for around 1,200 years, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 8th century AD. Today, Baghdad has a population of just over 7 million people, making it one of the most populous cities in Iraq.