Travel guideHistorySightsNightlifeMap

Jerusalem Travel Guide, Israel

Title: Jerusalem the oldest city of the world

Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and one of the largest cities in terms of both area and population. Situated in the Judean Mountains, amidst the northern peak of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, modern Jerusalem has developed outside the Old City.

This city is one of the oldest cities in the entire world since it holds a history, which dates back to the fourth millennium BC. Jerusalem is also the divine city in Judaism in addition to the devout center of Jewish people from tenth century BC, there is a range of momentous prehistoric Christian sites as well, but the city is also considered as the third sacred town for Islam.

Geographical Overview

Jerusalem is situated in the Judean Mountains on the south most spur of an upland that further includes the Mount Scopus and Mount of Olives. The entire city of Jerusalem is surrounded by dry riverbeds and valleys. The Tyropoeon and Kidron Hinnom valleys interconnect in a region in south of Jerusalem. Furthermore, the Kidron Valley flows in the east and separates Mount of Olives from the main city.

Economical Overview

Historically, exclusively the religious pilgrims supported the economy of Jerusalem since it was situated far away from the main parts of Gaza and Jaffa. The religious landmarks of Jerusalem today are the topnotch destinations for the foreign visitors, with the vast majority of the visitors visiting the Old City and the Western Wall.

Many statistics show that the economic growth of the city from 1967 of the east Jerusalem has lagged as compared to the west Jerusalem. Nonetheless, the percentage of the households with working individuals is greater for Arab households in comparison to the Jewish households. The redundancy ratio of Jerusalem is to some extent better than the national average.

Cultural overview

Jerusalem was primarily known for its spiritual importance, the city also hosts various cultural as well as artistic venues. Israel museum exhibits buildings and a vast collection of Judaica, European and Israeli arts, archeological findings and the Dead Sea scrolls that were discovered in the middle of the 20th century in Qumran caves close to the Dead Sea are nestled within the museum’s shrine of the book. This makes the museum the City’s major attraction.

Besides the museum the Youth Wing, the Rockefeller Museum, Yad Vashem, the International Convention Center, the Jerusalem Theater and the Palestinian National Theater are some of the other attractions of Jerusalem.

This city is home to numerous prestigious universities that provide courses including Arabic, English and Hebrew. Established in 1925, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is the most reputed educational institutions of higher education in Israel. Besides, Jerusalem boasts international airports, bus services and major rail connections.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Jerusalem

Things about Jerusalem you may be interested in

+ list your site

ReviewsTravel TipsWrite a review Write a travel tip

Read our members' reviews about Jerusalem

No reviews have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

Read our members' travel tips about Jerusalem

The Wailing Wall
travel tip by zangazanga posted more then 30 days ago
The Wailing Wall or Western Wall is a world famous site of Jerusalem. This is the last remaining wall of Herod's Temple destroyed by the Romans. There is separate section for men and women at the wall, so be careful which part you go...
Visiting the Holy Land
travel tip by twinstours posted more then 30 days ago
Book your tour with Twins Tours to the HolyLand!
Via Dolorosa Stations of the Cross
travel tip by erato posted more then 30 days ago
Visiting Jerusalem don't miss the Via Dolorosa which is, according to the Christian tradition, the path that the messiah walked with his cross on his shoulder on the way to his crucifiction. There are fourteen Stations of the Cross of...