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. Benjamin Netanyahu has been Prime Minister since March 2009.
This is an industrial country with a steadily developing economy. It has the highest standard of living among all the countries of the Middle East, although the declaration of independence was proclaimed only in 1948. The country is multinational, only 75.4% of Jews live here.
Administrative divisions
There are 7 districts in Israel. But the status of one of them is controversial. The districts are divided into 15 sub-districts, 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, the truly large settlements in Israelnot so much, but about 90% of all citizens live in them.
Jerusalem
This is the largest settlement in the list of major cities in Israel, with a population of 865,721. This is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. The Israeli government only gained full control of Jerusalem in 1967.
The city is sacred not only for Jews, but also for Christians and Muslims. Spread on the spurs of the Judean Mountains, at an altitude of 650 to 850 meters above sea level, between the Dead and Mediterranean Seas.
Already by the 11th century, the Jews occupied the settlement and proclaimed it the Kingdom of Israel. Although there has been a lot of controversy over the existence of a great Jewish state for 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 this 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. It is also called 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 taken unanimously by all the inhabitants of the settlement) and it is translated as “spring hill” or “rebirth barrow”. In the 30s of the last century, active development began, now this area is called Belycity”, and it is even included in the UNESCO list. All houses here are two- or three-story, built parallel or at right angles to the coast.
Initially, after the end of the war and the declaration of independence, Tel Aviv was the capital, but over time it was moved to Jerusalem. Most embassies still 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 the end of the settlement.
Haifa
The third largest city in Israel is Haifa. The population is 278,903 people. It is a port city in the Haifa Gulf of the Mediterranean Sea.
Until the 5th century, Jews lived on these lands, founding a small settlement. During 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 XIX century, the city turns into the main Palestinian port.
Now Haifa is not only a port, but also a modern resort with a developed infrastructure and a magnificent Mediterranean climate. There are many historical places where tourists come: the ruins of the fortress, the cave of the prophet Elijah, mosques, temples and, of course, Mount Carmel and the Bahai Temple.
Rishon Lezion
The list of cities and the history of Israel is already hard to imagine without Rishon LeZion - the most"young" settlement of the country 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 apply to the French baron E. de Rothschild for a loan. And the money was required for the arrangement of the well, since the territories turned out to be unsuitable for agriculture, there was a catastrophic lack of water. And a year later, a 45-meter well was dug. This joyful event is recorded on the coat of arms of the city in the form of an inscription: “Matsanu Mayim!”, That is, “We found water!”. The baron took an active part in the management of the village, agronomists and other specialists from France came here to establish the process of growing grapes. At the same time, a wine factory was founded, by the way, which is still operating today.
At the end of the last century, the rapid development of the city began, it is being rebuilt, new housing, infrastructure, enterprises are opening.
Petah Tikva
Another major city in Israel with a population of 230,984. The name of the city is very beautifully translated from Hebrew - “Gate of Hope”. Located near Tel Aviv, at a distance of 10 kilometers. The same Baron E. de Rothschild provided assistance in establishing agriculture and draining the swamps, but relations between the steward and the local population deteriorated very quickly. The baron handed the city over to the Jewish Colonization Society. For a long time, the Arabs attacked the city. After the First World War, many new repatriates appear in the settlement.
After the declaration of independence, Petah Tikva begins to develop actively, the borders expand at the expense of nearby settlements.
Ashdod
Next on the list of major cities in Israel is Ashdod, the industrial and port center of the country. The city has 220,174 inhabitants.
Located just 30 kilometers from Tel Aviv. The throughput of the port is very high: 60% of all imported goods into the country pass through it.
People settled on these lands a long time ago, the local settlement is mentioned several times in the Bible. Philistines, Byzantines and Israelites, Arabs and Crusaders lived here.
Festive and concert events are often held in Ashdod. It is in this city that musicians come to the Jazz Festival every autumn. International ballroom dance competitions are also held on a regular basis.
Netanya
The next major city in Israel is Netanya with a population of 207,946. The settlement is located in the most famous Mediterranean valley - Sharon. This is a very young city, founded only in 1929 as an agricultural settlement. And the name is given in honor of the patron of the city - Nathan Strauss (American industrialist). In addition to the fact that the city is a resort, citrus crops are still grown here and diamond jewelry is made. The city has a huge number of museums, in addition, tourists are taken to citrus plantations.
Beersheba
Israel's major city withwith 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 the data of archaeological excavations, people settled on this land much earlier. The excavations also found traces of the first metallurgical production in Israel.
Later and rather tragic events are connected with the city. In the XIII century, all the inhabitants left the settlement, as it was constantly attacked by crusaders and Muslims. The revival began only in 1900. After new hostilities in 1917, the city falls under the rule of Great Britain and only in 1948 becomes Israeli.
People come here to admire the ruins of Bathsheba and the well of Abraham, see the collection of the Negev Museum of Art (Governor's House) and the largest zoo in the whole country.
Holon
In the Tel Aviv district is the city of Holon with a population of 188,834 people. It is an industrial and cultural center. The city cannot boast of an ancient history, as 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 cities in Israel 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 representedreligious Jews (about 95%). There are practically no entertainment facilities here, but there are many religious schools.
Ramat Gan
The city has a population of 152,596 people, the name translates as "Garden Hill". It was founded in 1921 as an agricultural settlement. Over time, factories began to be built, and the processing of fields fades into the background. It is here that the famous Maccabiah stadium is located, where all the Jews of the world compete. Also located is the Bar-Ilana University, the Tel-ha-Shomer Medical Center - the largest in the entire Middle East. The city has a great 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 have named the most famous and largest.
Cities with a population of 100 to 150 thousand people
Rehovot
Population - 132,671 people. A fairly young city, founded only in 1890 by immigrants from Poland. It has 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. Medicine is also at a high level in the city, it is here that the famous Kaplan clinic is located.
Ashkelon
Population - 130,660 people. This is a very green city, and the history of its appearance begins in the Neolithic era. In 2000, before the advent of our era, there was a large settlement here. Today it is a well-developed city with two industrial zones and a very large power plant. Touristsare 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 are investing heavily in preschool and school education.
Beit Shemesh, or "House of the Sun"
Population – 103,922 thousand people. This is an ancient settlement, the first mention of which is in the Old Testament. There are many repatriates from Romania and Eastern countries. It is an emerging city with massive residential development.
Cities of Israel in alphabetical order with a population of 50 to 100 thousand people
| City name | Population | County | Year of founding |
| Herzliya | 91 926 | Tel Aviv | 1924 |
| Givatayim | 57 508 | Tel Aviv | 1922 |
| Kiryat Ata | 55 464 | Haifa | 1925 |
| Kiryat Gat | 51 483 | Southern | 1954 |
| Kfar Saba | 96 922 | Central | 1903 |
| Lod | 72 819 | Central | Bible Period |
| Modiin-Illit | 64 179 | Judea and Samaria | 1990 |
| Modiin-Maccabim-Reut | 88 749 | Central | 1996 |
| Nahariya | 54 305 | North | 1935 |
| Nazareth | 75 726 | North | III century BC e. |
| Raanana | 70 782 | Central | 1922 |
| Ramla | 73 686 | Central | 8th century |
| Rakhat | 62 415 | Southern | 1972 |
| Umm el-Fahm | 52 500 | Haifa | 1265 |
| Hadera | 88 783 | Haifa | 1891 |
| Hod HaSharon | 56 659 | Central | 1964 |
There are many sayings and anecdotes about Israel and its inhabitants in every country. But almost any traveler after a trip tothis country changes his mind and even thinks about moving.
