Facts About Jerusalem |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Israel |
| Capital of Israel | Jerusalem |
| Founded | 2800 BC |
| Area | 48.3 square miles |
| Population | 956000 approx |
| Lat Long Coordinates | 31°47′N35°13′E |
| Time Zone | UTC+2 |
| Area Code | overseas dialing +972-2; local dialing 02 |
| Language | Hebrew, Arabic |
| Major Religion | Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Baha’is |
| Point of interest | The Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, The Garden Tomb, The Biblical Zoo, Yemin Moshe, The Armenian Cathedral and Museum, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, The Temple Mount, Al-Aqsa Mosque (The Far Mosque, Qubbat Al-Sakhra (Dome of the Rock), Temple Mount, Syriac Church, Maronite Church, the Jewish quarter in the Old City, Via Dolorosa, Zion Mountain, Mount of Olives, The Tower of David |
About City :
Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel and one of the oldest cities in the world. The Palestinian people also claim this city as the capital of their future possible state. An amalgamation of diverse cultures and traditions, it is a holy city of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Jerusalem, called the “City of God” by the Hebrews, is believed to be a city integrating the earth with heaven, east with the west, and past with the present.
The history of this city spans a period of 5000 years, dating back to the Copper Age. The city has been captured and recaptured 44 times. It has a total population of over 800,000. It was claimed by Israel as its capital in the year 1949 and houses most of the government offices of the country, including the Supreme Court and the residences of the President and Prime Minister. Many languages, including English, Hebrew, Arabic, Yiddish, and Spanish are spoken in this city.
Geography :
Jerusalem is situated at an elevation of 730 m above sea level in the Judean Hills. To its west lies the Mediterranean Sea and to its east lies the Dead Sea. The city is surrounded by the valleys of Kidron, Hinnom, and Tyropoeon.
The national cemetery, Mount Herzl is located near the Jerusalem Forest on the western side of the city.
How to Reach (Transport) :
Jerusalem is accessible by the newly constructed Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport. The airport is served by over 50 airline companies. The other way to reach to this holy city is by taking a flight to Queen Alia International Airport of Jordan and then entering the country at Allenby Border Crossing on the West Bank.
Jerusalem is also connected by Israel Railway Network which is more famous for its beautiful scenery than service. Buses are the fastest and most efficient mode of transport to and from the city. The intercity buses arrive and depart from the Central Bus Station which is situated on Jaffa Road. Public transport doesn’t run on the occasion of the Jewish Sabbath and most holidays.
Shared taxis are also a regular and affordable option if you are traveling from Jerusalem to Palestinian cities. Inside the city, traditional vehicles like taxis, buses, and bikes are readily available. Apart from these, the Jerusalem Light Rail, established in 2011, runs through the city center along the western side of the Old City. Walking around the city is also a good option, especially if one wishes to appreciate the beauty of the Old City.
Best time to Visit :
Jerusalem has a typical Mediterranean climate featuring hot summers and cool winters. The best time to visit is from October to April, during the winters when the weather is mild and the city is relatively less crowded. However, the city’s peak tourist season is during its hot and dry summers when Jewish celebrations like High Holy Days, Sukkot, and Passover attract a large number of tourists.
Fairs and Festivals :
As Jerusalem is a country of diverse culture and traditions, it celebrates the festivals of Jews, Christian, and Muslims with the same fervor and zeal. Public holidays include the first and last days of Passover (Pesach), Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Shavuot (Pentecost), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and the first and last days of Sukkot (Tabernacles).
Holidays like Purim and Chanukah are celebrated with huge enthusiasm. While Israel’s Christians, Baha’is, and Muslims celebrate their holidays on assigned days; Catholics celebrate Easter and Christmas according to the International Calendar and Orthodox Christians celebrate their holidays about two weeks later than the original dates.
Apart from these, Jerusalem also celebrates the following festivals:
- International Arts and Crafts Fair, celebrated in August, showcases the art and culture of the exotic groups of the country.
- Israeli Wine Tasting Festival, celebrated in July-August, is an extremely popular festival featuring wines from all over the country.
- International Festival of Puppet Theatre, celebrated in August, features puppet shows by international and local artists alike.
Other festivals include the Jerusalem International Film Festival, Jerusalem Beer Festival, etc.
Points of Interest (Places to Visit) :
Jerusalem is a vivid historical and cultural site.
- The Garden Tomb believed to be the destination of cavalry is the holy tomb of Jesus. It is situated in a lush green garden, separated from the rush and hustle of the city.
- Old City, the historical epicenter of Jerusalem is filled with walls from the Ottoman period and includes sites that have huge religious significance. In the year 1981, it became a site of World Heritage.
- Al-Aqsa Mosque located inside the Old City marks the point where Mohammad, the Islamic prophet is said to have ascended to heaven.
Other places to visit include the Israel Museum, Biblical Zoo, Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, Damascus Gate, Murestan Square, Yemin Moshe, etc.
