Israel is part of southwest Asia and the Middle East. It is on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the Middle East between the countries of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
The four bodies of water in Israel are the Mediterranean Sea, Lake Tiberias, the Dead Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba. The importance of these bodies of water is mainly trading, fishing, and transport.
The six major cities of Israel include Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Beersheba, and Elat.
Haifa, the seaport of Israel and the capital of the north, located in the northern part of Israel, eastern boarded by the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa is the world center for the Bahai faith. Haifa's origins are ancient. It was established by Zahir al-Umar, the strongman of northern Palestine. Ahmad Jazzar Pasha ruled Haifa thereafter. It was during the late ottoman period that the port began its transformation into a modern city. Aspects of this change were the growth in Haifa's population and the change in its demographic character. At the same time, Haifa began to be transformed by the period's global economy and global transportation. Today, Haifa is Israel’ third largest city.
Stretched along the beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean, Tel-Aviv is Israel's largest city and biggest commercial center. It is a busy metropolis, which inspires its visitors with a unique energetic atmosphere of excitement and fun. The city of Tel Aviv was established in 1909 in a desert region north of Jaffa. The name means "Hill of Spring". During the 1920’s strong increase in population had occurred as the of Jaffa flee to Tel Aviv, following riots in Jaffa. Since then, the population of the capital had increased until the 1990’s when Tel Aviv has unfortunately became the target for bombs, in public areas, like buses, shopping malls, cafes and restaurants.
Jerusalem is like no other city on earth. It is holy to the world's three major monotheistic religions, and was fought over for three millennia by a variety of people and nations. Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people, but, in a special sense, Jerusalem belongs to the whole world. Jerusalem's history stretches back about 5,000 years. About 2500 BC, the Canaanites inhabited the city. Later, Jerusalem became a Jebusite refuge. When David captured the city, the Jebusites were absorbed into the Jewish people. David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom. Since Jerusalem was considered a very holy and sacred place, it underwent some kind of divisions for a while but it got reunited and internationalized in 1948. Today, the city is reunited under Israeli government, which guarantees religious freedom and protection of all holy places.
Ashdod is a port city in Israel located halfway between Tel Aviv and Gaza, in the Southern District of Israel. This modern city sports the largest and most commercially active seaport in Israel, after , and is a focal point of both national and international shipping. A significant engineering achievement, Ashdod Port is one of the few deep-water ports built on the open sea. Ashdod was basically founded in 1956 four miles north of the mound of Philistine Ashdod. It received city status in 1968, and is growing into a major manufacturing center. Ashdod's population grew rapidly from 200 in 1957 to 84,500 in 1993. Today, the modern city of Ashdod is based on the principle of self-contained neighborhood units, each with its own social, educational, and economic services.
The modern town of Beersheba is located southwest of Jerusalem. The continuing excellence of the water supply in and about the town makes it an important source of irrigation for the surrounding area, and it has developed as the cultural, administrative, and industrial focus of the Negev. Beersheba was situated in the territory of the tribe of Simeon, in the extreme southern part of ancient Israel. Abraham's Well is where the first peace treaty was signed over 3700 years ago. Today, The modern city of Beersheba is a bustling metropolis, and is known as the "Capitol of the Negev." High-rise apartment buildings overlook this city where camels and other goods, are still traded, in Israel's most famous "Camelot." Beersheba is also an important rail and road hub for Southern Israel.
Eilat the southern city of Israel and the gate to the Read Sea, has all tourists are seeking in vacation: A blue sea that is a magnificent view below the surface above, water sports and outdoor sports and desert safaris, and exciting nightlife, bird watching, delicious food and fascinating scene. Jews are thought to have lived here until the Crusaders captured it in 1116. It was of great strategic importance, being on the principal land route linking Egypt and Syria, where Moslem pilgrims and traders crossed on their way to Medina and Mecca. But development was painfully slow until the blockade of the Straits of Tiran was lifted in the Sinai Campaign of 1956. Thereafter, Elat’s ports were idle for trading with the neighboring countries such as Egypt. Eilat holds various attractions, such as the World Underwater Observatory, the Coral Reserve, and Reef. Eilat's population includes a large number of foreign travellers, often working in the construction trade.
