Palestine
- Palestine is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, southern Lebanon, and western Jordan.
- The geography of Palestine consists of four regions in the country. The four regions are the Jordan Valley, the coastal and interior plains, the mountains, and the southern desert.
- Palestine is one of the outstanding Arabic countries due to its political situation and modern history.
What Is Palestine?
The word Palestine derives from the Greek word, Philistia, which dates to Ancient Greek writers’ descriptions of the region in the 12th century B.C. From the fall of the Ottoman Empire in World War I to 1918, Palestine was typically referred to as the geographic area located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Arab people who call this territory home have been known as Palestinians since the early 20th century. Much of this land is now considered present-day Israel. (1)
Capital of Palestine
- Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine and is a city in the Middle East, located on a plateau in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea.
- Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered sacred to the three main Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The population of Palestine
The current population of the State of Palestine is 5,369,633 as of 2022, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.
The currency of Palestine, an Arab country
Currencies in use in the Palestinian territories are the Israeli new shekel and the Jordanian dinar.
Climate of Palestine
Most of Palestine enjoys a Mediterranean climate and has abundant sunshine throughout the year, with long hot summers and mild winters.
- The hot season lasts for 3.5 months, from June 4 to September 20, with an average daily high temperature above 88°F. The hottest month of the year in Palestine is August, with an average high of 94°F and a low of 73°F.
- During the winter the temperature hovers around 10°C (50°F) getting a little warmer on some days and a little cooler on others. At night it dips down to 3 or 4°C (38°F).
What is the national language of Palestine?
The official language in Palestine is Palestinian Arabic which is a subgroup of dialects belonging to native Arabs in the Levant and those belonging to the Mediterranean East Coast.
What is the main traditional food in Palestine?
Some of the most remarkable Palestinian foods are Al Maklouba, Samakia, falafel, Al Musakhan, vine leaves, Al Mansaf, Mujadara, and Homous.
Tourism in Palestine
Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, and according to what is found in history, it was built 40 years after the construction of the Kaaba.
- Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome are considered one of the most sacred religious places, and Al-Aqsa Mosque is mentioned in the Holy Quran, specifically in Surat Al-Israa.
Hisham Palace
- Hisham’s Palace is located in the city of Jericho, and it was named by that name because the Umayyad Caliph Hisham Abd al-Malik was the one who built it.
- Generally speaking, innovative engineering meanings are evident in every part of this palace. It is decorated with interesting mosaics and ornaments, and it also includes mosques and halls filled with monumental columns.
Ibrahimi Mosque
Al-Haram al-Ibrahimi is located at the southeast corner of Hebron.
It is considered the fourth holiest site in Islam and the second holiest site in Palestine.
The Ibrahim Mosque was built over the cave which contains the tombs of Ibrahim and his wife Sarah and their children, Isaac and Jacob, peace be upon them.
The Ibrahim Mosque is one of the oldest historic buildings that exist in the world in terms of its seniority and its sacredness.
Church of the Nativity
- The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest working churches in existence today.
- The Church of the Nativity is located in Bethlehem, 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem, at the site known to Christians as the site of the birth of Christ since the second century AD
Church of Annunciation, Nazareth
The Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth commemorates the place where the angel Gabriel visited Mary and delivered the invitation for her to bear God’s Son.
Gaza port and beach
In the past, Gaza Port was considered one of the most important commercial ports, and next to this port is Gaza beach, which is rich in fish.
References
[1] Palestine
Read more about Arab Countries – Arab League – Famous Arab Cities – List of Arab Capitals
FAQ
Palestine holds immense historical significance as a region that has been at the crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years. It is considered the birthplace of major Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The region has been ruled by various empires, including the Egyptians, Romans, Ottomans, and British, each leaving a lasting impact on its culture, religion, and history.
The political status of Palestine is complex and contentious. It is recognized as a state by over 130 countries and the United Nations, yet it does not have full membership in the UN. The region is divided between the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority, and the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas. Israel controls much of the land and imposes restrictions on movement and access, leading to ongoing conflict and calls for a two-state solution.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict revolves around several key issues, including borders, the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, security concerns, and mutual recognition.