Jerusalem

Region:

Central / Jerusalem Area.

Location:

Located in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern tip of the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is 60 kilometers (37 mi) east of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea. On the opposite side of the city, approximately 35 kilometers (22 mi) away, is the Dead Sea.

Driving Directions to Jerusalem:

Highway 1 to the entrance of Jerusalem.

Cities/Towns Close By:

Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit, Efrat, Giv'at Ze'ev, Latrun area, Maaleh Adumim, Mevaseret Zion, Modiin, Shilat.

Population:

approx. 732,100.

Landscape:

High elevation, plateau of the Judean Mountains with rolling hills.

Modern Day History:

As soon as Israel declared its independence in 1948, it was attacked en masse by its Arab neighbours. Jordan took over east Jerusalem and the Old City and Jerusalem was left divided between Israel and Jordan. On June 7, 1967 as a result of the Six-Day War, Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem. In 1998, the Knesset passed the Jerusalem Day Law, making the day a national holiday.

Biblical History:

One of the holiest cities in the world is Jerusalem. It is the holiest city for Judaism. It contains significant religious sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam that includes: Temple Mount, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, and al-Aqsa Mosque. The old walled city, is divided into four quarters, the Jewish, Armenian, Christian, and Muslim Quarters.

Nearby Parks/Forests:

Ein Hemed National Park, Castel National Park, Eshtaol Forest, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Ein Gedi Antiquities National Park, Gan Sacher, Gilo Forest, Herodium (Herodion) National Park, Independence Park, Jerusalem Forest, Liberty Bell Park, Massada National Park, Martyrs Forest, Peace Forest, Ramot Forest, Sataf, Stalactite caves, Sorek-Salmon Ridge, U.S. Independence Park, Park Begin near Mevo Beitar.

Tunnels:

Warren's Shaft (City of David), Hezekiah's Tunnel, Western Wall Tunnels.

Nearby Caves:

Stalactite caves, Bat caves, Bar Kochba caves, Beit Guvrin National Park.

Biblical Sites:

Cardo in the Old City, City of David (Ir David), Kotel (Western Wall), Old City, Mount of Olives, Tower of David - Museum of the History of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Archaeological Park, Solomon's Stables, Temple Mount, Western Wall Tunnels.

Shopping:

Ben Yehuda, Ispro Center Ein Carem, Gilo Mall, Hadar Mall, Hapisga Mall, Jerusalem (Malcha) Mall, Machane Yehuda, Israel Talpiyot Mall, Mamila Mall, Merkazit Jerusalem Mall, Center1 Mall, Rav Shefa Mall, Edomim Mall, Harel Mall.

Museums/ Modern Day Historical Sites:

Ammunition Hill, Bible Lands Museum, Bloomfield Science Museum, Botanical Gardens, Burnt House, Castel, Chagal Windows, Hechal Shlomo Museum, Herzl Museum, Knesset, Israel Museum, Jewish Time Elevator, Menachem Begin Heritage Center, Montefiore Museum, Mount Scopus (Har Ha'Tzofim), Rockefeller Museum, Russian Compound, Shrine of the Book, The Temple Institute, Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (Biblical Zoo), Ticho House, Tower of David, Underground Prisoners Museum, Yad Vashem, Western Wall Tunnels, Zion Square (Kikar Tzion).

Theaters/Performance Centers:

Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, International Convention Center, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Confederation House.

Festivals:

Israel Festival, Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival, Jerusalem International Film Festival, Jewish Music Days festival, Peimot Festival, International Chamber Music Festival, International Oud Festival, Diaspora Festival (HaPzura Festival), International Harp Contest, Zimriya - World Assembly of Choirs in Israel, Abu Gosh Vocal Music Festival.

Things to Do:

Day Tour Old City (Kotel, Temple Mount, Cardo, Jewish Quarter, Tunnel Tours, Southern Wall Excavations), Biking, Dining, Discovery, Festivals, Hiking, Museums, Music, Shopping, Theaters.