Jerusalem is one of the most historically significant cities in the world, located in the heart of the Middle East. It is considered sacred by three of the world's major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and has been the site of numerous conflicts throughout history.
The city has a long and complex history that dates back thousands of years. It was originally inhabited by the Jebusites, an ancient Canaanite tribe, and was known as Jebus. According to Jewish tradition, King David conquered the city and established it as the capital of the Israelite Kingdom in the 10th century BCE. It later became the site of the First and Second Temples, which were both destroyed, with the Second Temple being razed by the Romans in 70 CE.
In the 7th century, Jerusalem was conquered by the Islamic empire and became a significant religious site for Muslims. It was also captured by the Crusaders in the 11th century, leading to centuries of conflict between Christians and Muslims over control of the city.
Jerusalem was part of the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century until World War I, when it was taken by the British. After Israel declared its independence in 1948, Jerusalem was divided between Israeli and Jordanian control, with Israel controlling the western part of the city and Jordan controlling the eastern part, including the Old City and the Temple Mount.
In 1967, Israel captured the eastern part of Jerusalem, including the Old City, during the Six-Day War. Since then, the status of Jerusalem has remained a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, the international community does not recognize this claim and considers the city a disputed territory.
Today, Jerusalem is a thriving city with a population of over 900,000 people. It is home to numerous religious sites, including the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Old City, with its narrow streets and ancient architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by millions of tourists each year.
In July 1980, the Knesset passed the Jerusalem Law as part of the country's Basic Law, which declared Jerusalem the unified capital of Israel.
Holy Sites in Jerusalem: Temple Mount. A walled compound in the Old City, the Temple Mount also hosts Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, Western Wall, Mosque of Omar, Western Wall Tunnels, Via Dolorosa, Mount of Olives, Mount Zion
Tel Aviv is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city located on the Mediterranean coast in Israel. Known as the "city that never sleeps," it is a hub of culture, business, and entertainment.
Founded in 1909, Tel Aviv was originally a small suburb of the ancient port city of Jaffa. Today, it has grown into a bustling metropolis with a population of over 400,000 people. Tel Aviv is also the economic and technological center of Israel, with a thriving startup scene and a bustling business district.
One of the most striking features of Tel Aviv is its unique architecture. The city is famous for its Bauhaus buildings, which were constructed in the 1930s and 1940s by German Jewish architects who fled Nazi Germany. These buildings are characterized by their clean lines, flat roofs, and minimalist design, and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tel Aviv is also known for its beautiful beaches, which stretch along the Mediterranean coast. The most famous beach in the city is Gordon Beach, which is popular with tourists and locals alike. Other notable beaches include Frishman Beach, Banana Beach, and the secluded Alma Beach.
In addition to its beaches, Tel Aviv has a thriving cultural scene. The city is home to numerous museums, including the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, which houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, and the Eretz Israel Museum, which focuses on the history and culture of Israel. Tel Aviv is also home to several theaters and music venues, including the Israeli Opera and the Habima National Theater.
Finally, Tel Aviv is renowned for its nightlife. The city has a plethora of bars, clubs, and restaurants that stay open late into the night, catering to a diverse range of tastes and preferences. The city's most famous nightlife district is Rothschild Boulevard, which is lined with trendy bars and nightclubs.
In summary, Tel Aviv is a city that is full of life and energy, with something to offer everyone. Its beautiful beaches, unique architecture, rich cultural scene, and vibrant nightlife make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Israel.
Places to visit in Tel Aviv: Azrieli Mall & Observatory, Beit Hatfutsot, Ben-Gurion House, Bialik House & Museum, Carmel Market, Dizengoff Center, Eretz Israel Museum, Haganah Museum, Ha'Yarkon Park, Independence Hall, Jaffa Port, Jaffa Bazaar, Kerem Hatemanim, Luna Park, Nachalat Binyamin, Neve Tzedek, Palmach Museum, Rabin Square, Rothschild Boulevard, Safari Park, Sarona Market, Tel Aviv Beaches, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Tel Aviv Port, Tel Aviv Promanade, Yitzhak Rabin Center
Haifa, Hebrew חיפה, city, northwestern Israel. Haifa is the third-largest city in Israel—afterJerusalemand Tel Aviv—witha population of 282,832 in 2021. The city of Haifa forms part of the Haifa metropolitan area, the third-mostpopulous metropolitan area in Israel. It is home to the Baháʼí Faith's Baháʼí World Centre, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a destination for Baháʼí pilgrimage.
The principal port of the country, it lies along the Bay of Haifaoverlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa is first mentioned inthe Talmud (c. 1st–4th century ce).Eusebius, the early Christian theologian and biblical topographer, referred toit as Sykaminos. The town was conquered in 1100 by the Crusaders, who called itCaiphas. In later times it was taken by Napoleonin 1799. Ibrāhīm Pasha, the Egyptian general andviceroy, captured Haifa in 1839 but was compelled to surrender it to Turkey in1840 under the pressure of the fleets of the European powers, led by Britain.In 1918 British forces occupied the town, and it subsequently (1922) becamepart of mandatedPalestine.
Haifa, with its key port and industries, was of great concern tothe combatants in the Palestine war of 1948–49. TheArabs and the Haganah, the Jewishdefense forces, fought for control of the city, and on April 22, 1948, theArabs surrendered. Of more than 50,000 Arabs living in Haifa before the war,only about 3,000 subsequently chose to remain under Israeli rule. Despite this,Haifa is still cosmopolitan, with admixtures of Muslimand Christian Arabs (the latter mainly Maronites)and Bahāʾīs.
The city is situated on the northern slopes of Mount Carmel,except for the port section on the bay; residential and business districts areon the slopes, and finer residences and many resort hotels on the mountaintop,commanding scenic views of the entire bay area. The lower and upper cities arelinked by an underground railway.
The deep-water port, developed under the Britishmandate,was opened in 1933 and expanded extensively after Israel achieved statehood.Principal industries in the area include steel foundries, foodprocessing, shipbuilding (small naval craft, fishing boats), and theproduction of chemicals, textiles, and cement. Haifa’s petroleum refineries datefrom 1939 and its steam-driven power plant (the first of its kind in Israel) from 1934. Haifa also has the only subway in Israel, the Carmelit, dating from1959.
On the slopes of Mount Carmel are the newcampuses of the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion; founded 1912 andopened 1924) and the University of Haifa (1964). The city has a large maritime museum (1954) andhas many fine parks and gardens; outstanding are the Persian Gardens,containing the tomb of ʿAbd al-Bahāʾ, son of the founder of the Bahāʾī faith.Haifa is the world headquarters of the Bahāʾī movement. In 2008 several of thecity’s Bahāʾī monuments and buildings were collectively designated a UNESCOWorldHeritage site.
Immigrants from the former Soviet Unionconstitute 25% of Haifa's population, thus making Russian one of the three mainspoken languages of the city. According to the Israeli Central Bureau ofStatistics, Israeli Arabs constitute 10% of Haifa'spopulation, the majority living in Wadi Nisnas, Abbas and Khalisaneighborhoods. Wadi Nisnas and Abbas neighborhoods, arelargely Christian, Khalisa and Kababirare largely Muslim, while Ein HaYam is a mixed ArabChristian and Muslim neighborhood. Haifa is commonly portrayed as amodel of co-existence between Arabs and Jews, although tensions and hostilitydo still exist.
Between 1994 and 2009, the city had a decliningand aging population compared to Tel Aviv andJerusalem, as young people moved to the center of the country for education andjobs, while young families migrated to bedroomcommunities in the suburbs. However, as a result of new projects andimproving infrastructure, the city managed to reverse its population decline,reducing emigration while attracting more internal migration into the city. In2009, positive net immigration into the city was shown for the first time in 15years.
A development plan approved in 2016 seeks toraise Haifa's population to 330,000 residents by 2025.
Places to visit in Haifa: Aerial Cable Car, Atlit Detainee Camp Museum, BahaiGardens in Haifa, Carmel National Park, Carmelit UndergroundTrain, Clandestine Immigration and Navy Museum, DadoBeach, Discalced Carmelite Order Muhraqa Monastery, EnCarmel, Ein Hod Artists Village, Grand Canyon Mall, Haifa CityMuseum, Haifa Educational Zoo, Haifa’s German Colony, HaifaUniversity, Hanging Bridge at Nesher Park, Hof Hacarmel Beaches inHaifa, Israel’s Mediterranean Coast, Louis Promenade, MadatechScience & Technology Museum, Meridian Beach, MountCarmel, National Maritime Museum, Railway Museum, Sammy Ofer Stadium, Sculptures Garden (Gan Hapsalim), Stella Maris Lighthouse and Carmelite Monastery, Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art, Wadi Nisnas, Yefe NofStreet
Herzliya (Hebrew: הרצליה) is an affluent city in the central coast of Israel, at the northern part of the Tel Aviv District, known for its robust start-up and entrepreneurial culture. In 2021 it had a population of 103,318. Named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, Herzliya covers an area of 21.6 square kilometres (8.3 sq mi). Its western, beachfront area is called Herzliya Pituah and is one of Israel's most affluent neighborhoods and home to numerous embassies, ambassadors' residences, companies headquarters, and houses of prominent Israeli business people.
Herzliya, named after Theodor Herzl, was founded in 1924 as a semi-cooperative farming community (moshava) with a mixed population of new immigrants and veteran residents. During that year, 101 houses and 35 cowsheds were built there, and the village continued to grow. The 1931 census recorded a population of 1,217 inhabitants, in 306 houses. Upon the establishment of the state in 1948, Herzliya was a town of 5,300. Large numbers of immigrants settled there, and it had 12,000 residents within a few years. In 1960, when the population reached 25,000, Herzliya was declared a city.
Under current plans, the city's population will triple to around 290,000 by 2030, with 52,000 new homes and new industrial developments and hotels built, with more dense construction in the city center while expanding the city to the north and southwest. Herzliya has a high cost of living, with housing prices among the highest in Israel. The city has a mix of residential neighborhoods, ranging from luxury villas to apartment buildings. Herzliya is considered to be one of the safest cities in Israel, with a low crime rate compared to other cities in the country.
Herzliya is known for its beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels, and high-tech industry. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting both local and international visitors. The city offers a variety of attractions such as museums, art galleries, parks, and shopping centers. One of the most popular beaches in Herzliya is the Herzliya Beach, which stretches along the city's coast for about three kilometers. The city's high-tech industry is one of its biggest economic drivers. Herzliya is home to many multinational corporations such as Microsoft, IBM, and HP, as well as many local startups. The city has a thriving entrepreneurial culture and is considered to be the Silicon Valley of Israel.
Herzliya is also known for its cultural events and festivals. The Herzliya Festival of the Arts is held annually and features various performances such as music, dance, and theater. The city also hosts the Herzliya Conference, an international security conference that brings together political leaders, military officials, and academics to discuss security issues.
In conclusion, Herzliya is a beautiful city with a rich cultural and technological heritage. Its beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels, and high-tech industry make it a popular tourist destination and a great place to live and work.
Places to visit in Herzliya: Acadia Beach, Apollonia National Park, Chabad Of Herzliya, Herzliya Beach, Herzliya Marina, Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art, Herzliya Park, Herzliya Pituach (This upscale neighborhood features luxury villas, high-end shops, and fine dining restaurants. It's a great place to experience the high life in Israel), Israel Airforce Center, Museum and Archive of the History of Herzliya, Shaare Kedem, Sharon Beach Nature Reserve, Shivat Hakohavim Mall, Sidna Ali Mosque, The Herzliya Artists' Residence, Van Gogh Exhibition.