Palestine

Coastal and Inner Plains:
These are among the best fertile land in Palestine and elsewhere, with adequate resources of irrigation (from rainfall and underground water). These are where most of the Palestinian citrus groves stood. The coastal stretch is divided by Jabal al-Karmel (Mount Carmel) into the plain of Akka (Acre) and the plain of Palestine (also called Saruunah). The inner part consists largely of Marj bin Aamir. This one is triangular in shape, with Jenin and Nazareth (An-NaSirah) as its base and the south eastern edge of the Akka plain as its sharp corner.

The Mountains and Hills:
This part is largely rocky but has terraces which make it suitable for a number of trees. Olives is one of the most planted trees in these regions. There are almonds, apples and others. Also, there are patches of plains scattered around in this region and these are fully utilized: they are planted with wheat, barely, lentils in winter and vegetables during the summer (mostly tomatoes, melons, maize and other vegetation that stands the hot weather). Mountains
are located in al-Jaliil (Galilee), al-Karmel, and Nablus and Hebron areas.

The Jordan Valley and Ghawr:
This is well below sea level, hence the name Ghawr, with very good soil but very little water resources. Agriculture there depends on irrigation either from local streams or the Jordan river. Due to its climate, that region used to produce summer vegetables in late winter stretching the availability of fresh produce before electricity and refrigerators. The two lakes are at the northern edge of this
region.


The Southern Desert:
This region comprises almost half of the land of Palestine. It is also triangular in shape. The base is fertile and the rest, with its apex near the town of Aqaba, is poor with scattered patches of regions suitable for cultivation. Bi’r as-Sab’ (renamed Beersheba by the occupation) is the main town in that region.

Population:
There has never been an accurate official census in Palestine since occupation. Hadawi states that at the end of 1918, there were 700,000 people living in Palestine. These were divided into 574,000 Muslims, 70,000 Christians and 56,000 Jews. Almost all the Palestinian Christians are Arabs and most of the Jews as well (up to around 1900 AD). These numbers check positively with the estimate that only 6% to 7% of the total Palestinian population was Jewish right after the first Zionist congress in Basel. It is also consistent with what David Newman’s statement that between 1800 and 1945, the Jewish Population of Palestine increased from approximately 25,000 to 600,000, eventually comprising some 33 per cent of the country’s population.

Religions:
Palestinians are mainly Muslims. There are sizable Christian communities in a number of cities and towns. Israeli-controlled areas are mainly Jewish.

Languages:
Arabic is the official language. Many educated people understand and speak English to various levels of fluency. Other languages, like French and German are less common.Israelis speak Hebrew and, in most cases, the language of the country where they have come from.

Business Hours:
The working day is roughly from 8 am to 5 pm with Friday as holiday (in some places, Sunday is also off and Saturday is off for Israelis). Some offices work till 2 pm and others take a long lunch
break.

Welcome To Palestine:
Palestine may not be highlighted on the world tourist map because of political and other reasons. This does not, however, change the fact that Palestine is one of the greatest places to visit
for all types of travel.

After all, it was Palestine where the human civilization started and flourished. The world’s great religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam all flowered in Palestine. Jerusalem, the city of peace, is
still a witness to the great cultural and religious mixture.

It is true that the tourism sector, along with the rest of the Palestinian aspects of life, have suffered a lot during the past decades, and that current efforts are not enough - but let’s not forget that progress is being made and the tourism industry in Palestine is getting back to life.

Needless to say, touring Palestine is a great and pleasant experience. It does not cost a fortune and all attractions in the country can be visited and enjoyed in a few days due to the small size of the country. It preferable to visit Palestine and enjoy its great religious, historical and recreational attractions.

Places to Visit:
Despite the fact that Palestine is a small country, its tourism and other attractions are plenty, rich and diverse. Here, you can take a journey through history, enrich your spiritual awareness, find a calm
spot to rest, study or learn languages, do business or simply relax, enjoy scenery and great food.

The Noble Sanctuary:
Al-Aqsa Mosque and surroundings in Jerusalem The Holy Sepulcher - Jerusalem (links about the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Bethlehem Area:
The attractions include Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.

Official Name:
State of Palestine
Capital:
Jerusalem - the cradle of religions
Major Cities:
Jericho - the first town in the world
Bethlehem - the birthplace of Jesus Christ
Hebron - a city 6000 years old
Ramallah - Palestinian center of activity
Nablus - city of business, history and resistance
Gaza - birthplace of the Intifada (Uprising)
All other cities, villages, camps, mountains, caves and
trees beyond the green line or whatever lines drawn
forcibly, are everlasting cultural and historical witnesses
and components of the inalienable rights of the Palestrina
people.
Location:
Palestine, currently under occupation, is located on the
East coast of the Mediterranean Sea, West of Jordan and
to the south of Lebanon.
Area:
Around 26500sq.km or 10,435 square miles (almost same
size as the state of Vermont in the USA.
Outside this territory, there are 10,163sq.miles of land area.
The rest is water: half of which is the Dead Sea (al-BaHr al-
Mayyit), Huleh Lake (BuHayrat al-Huuleh) which was dried
by the occupation and Tiberius Lake (BuHayrat Tabariyyah)
which is also known as the Sea of Galilee (BaHr al-Jalil(.
Time zone:
GMT + 2 hours
Weather:
Spring is the best season in Palestine while summer
is a little hot in some areas and winters moderate.
Temperatures in Jerusalem can drop as low as - 4
C (24.8 F) in winter and as high as 37 C (98.6 F) in
summer.

top