Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
soon came to handle a lucrative trade in frankincense from Oman, pearls from Bahrain,
spices from India, textiles from China and dates from just about everywhere. The port also
facilitated the trans-shipment of goods across the desert to the Syrian port of Aleppo, a
journey of two to three weeks. Pilgrims returned in the other direction, great caravans tak-
ing sustenance for the onward journey to Mecca. Today the city's port continues to play a
vital role in the capital's fortunes.
The Iraqi invasion in 1990 tore a piece of the city's heart out, but remarkably most of
the landmark buildings remain standing. A visitor today is never likely to know how much
the city suffered.
