10 U.S. Cities With Names From the Arab World

posted on: Dec 11, 2020

By: Colby Cyrus/Arab America Contributing Writer                      So much of America exists in the Arab world: from food chains to clothing stores, and car companies to banks, it is not difficult to find many traces of the United States in this part of the world. Yet, few people pay attention to the contributions that Arab civilization has made on American society. This article focuses specifically on the incorporation of Arab city names in U.S. towns. Take a look!

1. (لبنان) Lebanon, New Hampshire

Lebanon of the U.S. is located in Grafton County; Lebanon boasts a population of just under 15,000 on the western border of New Hampshire. It is home to the Lebanon Opera House, the AVA Gallery, and other local attractions. The town has turned out many famous people, including U.S. Senator Norris Cotton and actress Mia Tyler. During your downtime, Lebanon also offers many parks and facilities that are perfect for family outings.

Lebanon of the Arab World is a small country on the Mediterranean Sea with a population of just under 6 million. It is divided into six governorates and answers to stand-in Prime Minister Hassan Diab. The country’s flag bears a Lebanese cedar, which is also the national emblem. Although Lebanon is a small country, it still considered one of the hottest attractions for tourists in the world.

2. (دمشق) Damascus, Maryland

Montgomery County plays home to Damascus, first founded in 1783. A suburb of Washington, D.C., Damascus contains a population in which one-third is over the age of 50, and has been listed as one of the best places to buy a home in the United States. Damascus is also a popular destination for families, especially for those with children, as Damascus High School is a well-funded option with nationally renowned athletics.

Modern Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria. It is located in the southwest corner of the city, close to the border of Lebanon. In 2009, Damascus contained a population of just over 1,000,000. Today, it frequently makes headlines due to its position in the Syrian conflict. Damascus is previously the home of the Umayyad Caliphate.

3. (بغداد) Bagdad, Florida

On the northern edge of Florida sits the tiny town of Bagdad, population 1,500, which has been around since 1840. The community was knowingly named after Baghdad, Iraq. Despite its size, Bagdad has produced some individuals of note, including industrialist Justus Smith Stearns and professional golfer Bubba Watson. Bagdad is only a short drive from the larger city of Pensacola.

Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, with a population just shy of 9 million. The city is located along the Tigris River, serving as one of the major waterways in the Middle East. Baghdad was founded in 762 A.D. and has a name which is pre-Islamic.

4. (الإسكندرية) Alexandria, Virginia

Another suburb of Washington, D.C., Alexandria shares a name with one of Egypt’s larger cities. Former presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford have called Alexandria home. Its homes and businesses are almost as expensive as DC properties because of the scenic Potomac River. You’ll never be bored in Alexandria, with its plethora of museums, concerts and various other attractions

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt as well as a major economic center for not only Egypt, but all of North Africa. Founded in 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great, it quickly became an important staple of Hellenistic civilization. Alexandria is located on the northeastern coast of Egypt, near the Sinai Peninsula and was once the capital of both the Hellenistic and Roman/Byzantine Empires.

5. (القاهرة) Cairo, Illinois

Another town borrowing its name from Egypt, Cairo is the southernmost city in Illinois and finds itself at the meeting point of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. When visiting Cairo, some points of interest include Fort Defiance Park, Magnolia Manor, and Gem Theatre.

Cairo is the capital as well as the largest city in Egypt. It possesses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Middle East, and indeed in the Arab world. It is also a major hub for students, home to al-Azhar University, the American University in Cairo, and many others. Its population of just under 7 million makes it the largest city in Egypt by a wide margin.

6. (فلسطين) Palestine, Texas

Interestingly, this city was not named for the more famous Palestine in the Middle East. Rather, it gets its name from the town with the same name in Illinois. Nonetheless, Palestine is home to a population of just under 20,000. If you find yourself bored in Palestine, you always have the option of outdoor events such as wine tastings.

Palestine is a state in the Middle East made up primarily of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. A vast majority of the areas of the state has been occupied since 1967 and the end of the Six-Day War. The state, with a population of roughly 4.5 million, is recognized by 136 U.N. members. Palestine sits near several important regional areas, including the Levant and the area previously known as Canaan.

7. (بيت لحم) Bethlehem, New Hampshire

Sitting partially in the White Mountain National Forest, Bethlehem also contains a portion of the Appalachian Trail. When visiting Bethlehem, the locals may point you towards the Colonial Theatre, the Rocks Estate, or the Bethlehem farmers market. The town also features the “Old Man of the Mountain” and is a short distance from several quality ski resorts.

Bethlehem is a city located within the West Bank territory of the state of Palestine. It is also recognized as the birthplace of Jesus. The city is home to around 25,000 people and enjoys a mostly tourist-driven economy. Bethlehem itself sees a mix of Muslims and Christians, yet still contains a Muslim majority population.

8. (الناصرة) Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, Nazareth is home to a population of around 5,000. It is named for the biblical town of Nazareth, as are several other towns in the valley (such as Bethlehem). It was also home to the once famous Nazareth Speedway.

Nazareth of the Arab world is known to be the site where Jesus spent his youth. It is also the capital and largest city in the northern district of Israel. Due to its biblical heritage, it is also a center of Christian pilgrimage.

9. (مكة) Mecca, California

Mecca, California lies along the warm beaches of Southern California. It’s a small town of less than 10,000 containing the climate of an arid desert. It was a featured location in the 1966 film The Wild Angels and is home to the Mecca Family and Farm Workers Service Center.

The holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia is recognized by Muslims as the birthplace of Muhammad and is the holiest city in Islam. It is also part of the five pillars, as Muslims must make the voyage to Mecca once during their lifetime in a process known as the hajj. The city is the direction of Muslim prayer, and all Muslims worldwide turn to face the direction of Mecca when praying.

10. (الأردن) Jordan, New York

Jordan, New York’s website invites you to “come discover history on the Erie Canal”. The city reflects both its nineteenth and twentieth-century roots, and lies about thirty minutes from the city of Syracuse. The town also hosts the Jordan Fall Festival.

The country of Jordan in the Arab world, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a nearly landlocked country in the Middle East. Its capital and most populous city is Amman, and the country falls under the rule of King Abdullah II. The population nears 10 million, a vast majority of which practices Sunni Islam. Jordan’s economy is also recognized as one of the more advanced in the region. Jordan is also known for its historic sites and for its diverse population, especially after refugees from Palestine, Iraq, and Syria have flocked the country at different periods since 1948.

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