Israel is a small state in the Middle East. Only 8.68 million people live in the country. The capital is Jerusalem, although the actual business center is the city of Tel Aviv. Since March 2009, Benjamin Netanyahu has been Prime Minister.
This is an industrial country with a stably developing economy. It has the highest standard of living among all countries in the Middle East, although a declaration of independence was only proclaimed in 1948. The country is multinational; only 75.4% of Jews live here.
Administrative division
Israel has 7 counties. But the status of one of them is controversial. In the districts, 15 sub-districts are distinguished, which include 50 natural regions. The list of all cities in Israel includes 75 settlements. In this country, the status of a city is assigned if the population in it exceeds 20 thousand people. Therefore, truly large settlements in Israel are not so many, but about 90% of all citizens live in them.
Jerusalem
This is the largest settlement in the list of major cities in Israel, 865 721 people live here. It is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. The Israeli government gained full control of Jerusalem only in 1967.
The city is sacred not only for the Jews, but also for Christians and Muslims. It is located on the spurs of the Judean mountains, at an altitude of 650 to 850 meters, between the Dead and Mediterranean Seas.
By the XI century, the settlement was occupied by Jews and proclaimed it the kingdom of Israel. Although there are many disputes over the existence of a great Jewish power over the course of several centuries. Nevertheless, the city was often captured, it was the troops of Babylon and Persia, Egypt and Macedonia, Rome. In the middle of our millennium, Jerusalem was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Now it is a holy place. Tourists of different faiths come to the Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall.
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the second in the list of the largest cities in Israel, 432 thousand people live here. They also call it Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and it is located on the Mediterranean coast. Once it was the Jewish quarter of the city of Jaffa. And the modern name appeared only in 1910 (the decision was made unanimously by all the inhabitants of the settlement) and it translates as “hill of spring” or “mound of rebirth”. In the 30s of the last century, active development began, now this area is called the "White City", and it is even listed by UNESCO. All houses here are two- or three-story, built in parallel or at right angles to the coast.
Initially, after the end of the war and declaration of independence, it was Tel Aviv that was the capital, but over time it was moved to Jerusalem. To date, most embassies operate in the city.
Tel Aviv is a real city of contrasts, where skyscrapers are mixed with old buildings, very rich and very poor people live nearby, and the borders with nearby settlements have practically disappeared, so it is not clear where the beginning and where is the end of the village.
Haifa
Third in the list of the largest cities in Israel is Haifa. The population is 278 903 people. It is a port city in the Haifa Bay of the Mediterranean Sea.
Until the V century, Jews lived on these lands, having founded a small settlement. During the time of the Crusades, it turns into a regional port. By the way, it was during that period of time that a monastic order appeared on Mount Carmel, which exists to this day. And in the 19th century, the city turned into the main Palestinian port.
Now Haifa is not only a port, but also a modern resort with developed infrastructure and a magnificent Mediterranean climate. There are many historical places where tourists gather: the ruins of a fortress, the cave of the prophet Elijah, mosques, temples and, of course, Mount Carmel and the Bahai Temple.
Rishon lezion
It is hard to imagine the list of cities and the history of Israel without Rishon Lezion, the country's “youngest” settlement and one of the first Zionist settlements. Almost 244 thousand people live here. The city was founded in 1882 thanks to one of the settlers who dared to turn to the French baron E. de Rothschild for a loan. And the money was needed to equip the well, since the territories were unsuitable for farming, there was a catastrophic lack of water. And a year later a 45-meter well was dug. This joyful event is recorded on the emblem of the city in the form of an inscription: “Matsanu maim!”, That is, “Found water!”. The Baron was actively engaged in the leadership of the village; here agronomists and other specialists from France came to establish the process of growing grapes. At the same time, a wine factory was founded, by the way, working to this day.
At the end of the last century, the rapid development of the city began, it is being rebuilt, new housing, infrastructure is appearing, and enterprises are opening.
Petah Tikva
Another major city in Israel, which is home to 230, 984 people. The name of the city is translated from Hebrew very beautifully - “The Gate of Hope”. Located near Tel Aviv, at a distance of 10 kilometers. The same baron E. de Rothschild helped to establish agriculture and drain the swamps, but relations between the governor and the local population quickly deteriorated. The Baron transferred the city to the rule of the Jewish colonial society. For a long time, the Arabs attacked the city. After the First World War, many new immigrants appeared in the settlement.
After independence, Petah Tikva begins to develop actively, the borders expand at the expense of nearby settlements.
Ashdod
The next in the list of major cities in Israel is Ashdod, the industrial and port center of the country. The city has a population of 220 174.
Located just 30 kilometers from Tel Aviv. The port's throughput is very high: 60% of all imported goods into the country passes through it.
People settled on these lands for a long time, the local settlement is mentioned several times in the Bible. Here lived the Philistines, Byzantines and Israelis, Arabs and Crusaders.
Ashdod often hosts festive and concert events. It is in this city that musicians come to the Jazz Festival every fall. International ballroom dance competitions are also held regularly.
Netanya
The next major city in Israel is Netanya with a population of 207, 946 people. The village is located in the most famous Mediterranean valley - Sharon. This is a very young city, founded only in 1929 as an agricultural village. And the name is given in honor of the patron of the city - Nathan Strauss (American industrialist). Besides the fact that the city is a resort, citrus crops are still grown here and jewelry made from diamonds. The city has a huge number of museums, in addition, tourists are transported to citrus plantations.
Be'er Sheva
A large city of Israel with a population of 203 thousand people. The settlement is mentioned in the Bible under the name of Bathsheba. It was here that Isaac and Abraham dug a well. Thus, the city is about 4 thousand years old, although, based on archaeological excavations, people settled on this land much earlier. Excavations also found traces of the first metallurgical production in Israel.
The city is connected with later and rather tragic events. In the XIII century, all residents left the settlement, since it was constantly attacked by the crusaders and Muslims. The revival began only in 1900. After new hostilities in 1917, the city fell under British rule and only in 1948 became Israeli.
People come here to admire the ruins of Bathsheba and the well of Abraham, to see the collection of the Negev Museum of Art (Governor's House) and the largest zoo in the whole country.
Holon
In the district of Tel Aviv is the city of Holon with a population of 188, 834 people. It is an industrial and cultural center. The city cannot boast of ancient history, since it arose only in the 20s of the last century.
Holon is also called the "Children's Capital of Israel": the city has a huge number of park areas, attractions and museums, mainly intended for children. The country's largest water complex, Yamit 2000, also operates.
Bnei Brak
The next in the list of Israeli cities is Bnei Brak with a population of almost 183 thousand people. On its territory there is a huge industrial zone. The local population is predominantly represented by religious Jews (about 95%). There are practically no entertainment facilities, but there are many religious schools.
Ramat gan
The city is home to 152, 596 people, the name translates as "Garden Upland." It was founded in 1921 as an agricultural village. Over time, factories began to be built, and field processing receded into the background. This is where the famous Maccabiad stadium is located, where all the Jews of the world compete. Bar-Ilana University is also located, and the Tel Hashomer Medical Center is the largest in the entire Middle East. The city has a magnificent safari park. And the education system in Ramat Gan is recognized as the best in the whole country.
It is difficult to list all the cities of Israel, but we named the most famous and largest.
Cities with a population of 100 to 150 thousand people
Rehovot
The population is 132, 671 people. A fairly young city, founded only in 1890 by immigrants from Poland. There is the Institute of Natural Sciences and the faculty of the University of Agriculture. The basic industry of the city is high technology and the cultivation of citrus crops. At a high level in the city and medicine, it is here that the famous Kaplan clinic is located.
Ashkelon
The population is 130, 660 people. It is a very green city, and the history of its appearance begins in the Neolithic era. In 2000, before the onset of our era, there was a large settlement. Today it is a well-developed city with two industrial zones and a very large power station. Tourists are frequent guests; they go to see the Ancient City in the National Park.
Bat yam
128.892 thousand people live here. The name translates as "Daughter of the Sea." Many immigrants from the former USSR live here. Local authorities invest a lot in preschool and school education.
Beit Shemesh, or "House of the Sun"
The population is 103.922 thousand people. This is an ancient settlement, the first mention of which is in the Old Testament. There are many returnees from Romania and eastern countries. This is a developing city where large-scale residential construction is underway.
