Haifa
View from Carmel across the Shrine of the Báb, city of Haifa and Haifa Bay
Emblem of Haifa
Hebrew	חֵיפָה
Arabic	حَيْفَا
Government	City
District	Haifa
Population	266,300 (city) 1,039,000 (metropolitan area)
Jurisdiction	63,666 dunams (63.7 km²)
Mayor	Yona Yahav
Website	www.haifa.muni.il/cultures/en-US

Haifa, its district and metropolitan area's location within Israel

Haifa (Hebrew: חֵיפָה‎ Ḥefa (help·info); Arabic: حَيْفَا‎ Ḥayfā (help· info)^[1]) is the largest city in Northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of about 266,300.^[2][3] The city is a seaport located on Israel's Mediterranean coastline in the Bay of Haifa covering 63.7 square kilometres (24.6 sq mi). It is located about 90 kilometres (56 mi) north of Tel Aviv and is the major regional center of the north of Israel. The city is governed by the Haifa Municipality, headed by mayor Yona Yahav. Image File history File links Haifa_coa. ... Hebrew redirects here. ... Arabic redirects here. ... Jerusalem Tel Aviv-Jaffa Haifa Rishon LeZion Ashdod Beersheba Petah Tikva Netanya Holon Bnei Brak Bat Yam Ramat Gan Ashkelon Rehovot The following list of cities in Israel is based on the current index of the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). ... Map of the districts of Israel Population density by geographic region, sub-district and district (thicker border indicates higher tier). ... Haifa District surrounding the city of Haifa in Israel, is one of six districts and includes the following towns and cities: Baqa al-Gharbiyye באקה אל-גרביה Hadera חדרה Haifa חיפה Nesher נשר Or Aqiva אור עקיבא Qiryat Atta קריית אתא Qiryat Bialik קריית ביאליק Qiryat Motzkin קריית מוצקין Qiryat Yam קריית ים Tirat Karmel טירת הכרמל Umm al-Fahm אום אל-פאחם Zikhron Yaaqov זכרון יעקב See also Districts of Israel... A dunam or dönüm, dunum, donum is a unit of area. ... Yona Yahav is an Israeli lawyer who served in the 14th Knesset and on the boards of several political, business and civic organizations. ... Haifa may refer to: Haifa, an Israeli port city Haifa Wehbe, a Lebanese singer Haifa Street, in Baghdad, Iraq Category: ... Hebrew redirects here. ... Arabic redirects here. ... Image File history File links ArHaifa. ... The Port of Haifa is the main Israeli international seaport. ... The Israeli Coastal Plain (Hebrew: , Mishor HaHof) is a name to the flat and low-lying narrow strip around the Mediterranean Sea. ... Haifa Bay Haifa Bay is a small bay along the Mediterranean coast of Northern Israel. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Tel-Aviv was founded on empty dunes north of the existing city of Jaffa. ... Yona Yahav is an Israeli lawyer who served in the 14th Knesset and on the boards of several political, business and civic organizations. ...

Haifa has a long history dating back to Biblical times. Built on the slopes of the historic Mount Carmel, the city was known in the 3rd century CE as a dye making center. Over time, it has fallen under the rule of the Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans, Egyptians, and the British and today is home to a mixed population of Jews and Arabs, as well as to the Bahá'í World Centre.^[4] The city also has a restored German Colony built by Templers who arrived here in 1868. Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain in Israel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. ... Byzantine redirects here. ... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... This article is about the medieval crusades. ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1683, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–1365) Edirne (1365–1453) Ä°stanbul (1453–1922) Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 (first) Osman I  - 1918–22 (last) Mehmed VI Grand Viziers  - 1320... The Baháí Arc from the International Archives building Shrine of the Báb and its associated terraces at the Baháí World Centre Shrine of the Báb The Baháí World Centre is the name given to the administrative centre of the Baháí Faith. ... The German Colony in Haifa was built by the Tempelgesellschaft, it was established in 1868 and was the first colony to be established by the Templers in the Holy Land. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Temple Society. ...

The city has two world-class academic institutions, the University of Haifa and the Technion, and now plays an important role in Israel's hi-tech industry with a number of hi-tech parks, including the oldest and largest in the country.^[5] Traditionally, however, the city was an industrial center based around the port and oil refinery, the towers of which long symbolised the city. The University of Haifa (אוניברסיטת חיפה) is a university in Haifa, Israel. ... The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (הטכניון - מכון טכנולוגי לישראל) is a university in Haifa, Israel. ... Israel has a diversified economy with substantial government ownership and a rapidly developing high-tech sector. ...

Etymology

Some say that the city's official romanization Haifa and common English pronunciation /ˈhaɪ.fə/ is based on the Arabic name Ḥayfā, although the Standard Hebrew name is Ḥefa. The local Hebrew pronunciation is /xei.ˈfa/. In fact, the origin of the name Haifa is unclear. According to historian Alex Carmel, it may come from the Hebrew verb root חפה (hafa), meaning 'to cover or hide', i.e. Mount Carmel covers Haifa.^[6] Others see resemblance to the Hebrew word חוֹף (hof), meaning beach, or חוֹף יָפֶה (hof yafe), meaning beautiful beach.^[7] Some Christians believe that the town was named after the high priest Caiaphas, or Saint Peter (Keiphah [in Aramaic]).^[6] Languages can be romanized in a variety of ways, as shown here with Mandarin Chinese In linguistics, romanization (or Latinization, also spelled romanisation or Latinisation) is the representation of a word or language with the Roman (Latin) alphabet, or a system for doing so, where the original word or language... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Look up pronunciation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Yhosef Bar Kayafa (Hebrew יְהוֹסֵף בַּר קַיָּפָא, ), also known as Caiaphas (Greek Καϊάφας) in the New Testament, was the Jewish high priest to whom Jesus was taken after his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, and who played a part in Jesus trial before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. ... St Peter redirects here. ... Aramaic is a Semitic language with a four-thousand year history. ...

Another possible origin of the name came from the Arabic word حفَّ ("haffa") which means "beach", or the word حيفة meaning the "suburb" or "side of the city". The closest term in pronunciation and writing is حيفاء which is an adjective used to describe places which have rare rain.^[8] Arabic can mean: From or related to Arabia From or related to the Arabs The Arabic language; see also Arabic grammar The Arabic alphabet, used for expressing the languages of Arabic, Persian, Malay ( Jawi), Kurdish, Panjabi, Pashto, Sindhi and Urdu, among others. ...

History

View across Haifa towards Haifa Bay as seen in 1898

Haifa in 1915

Modern view across Haifa Bay from Mt. Carmel as seen at night

The German Colony of Haifa

An apartment building in Haifa following a rocket attack in July 2006

The Sail Tower, an example of modern architecture in Haifa

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 485 pixelsFull resolution (818 × 496 pixels, file size: 71 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This image is in the public domain because the Israeli Copyright law of 1911 section 21, (essentially the United Kingdom Copyright Act of 1911 as it... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 485 pixelsFull resolution (818 × 496 pixels, file size: 71 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This image is in the public domain because the Israeli Copyright law of 1911 section 21, (essentially the United Kingdom Copyright Act of 1911 as it... A view of Mount Carmel in 1894 University of Haifa atop Mount Carmel in 1996 For other uses, see Mount Carmel (disambiguation). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Haifa_apartment_building_after_attack_July_17_2006. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Haifa_apartment_building_after_attack_July_17_2006. ...

Early history

It is unclear when Haifa was first established by the Canaanites, although it is mentioned in Talmudic literature around the 3rd century CE, as a small town with a Jewish community.^[9][10] It was described as being near the town of Shikmona, the main Jewish town in the area at that time and a center for making the traditional Tekhelet dye used for Jewish Priests' temple cloth. The archaeological site of Shikmona lies southwest of the modern Bat Galim neighborhood.^[11] Furthermore, Mount Carmel and the Kishon River are also mentioned in the Bible.^[12][13] Mount Carmel is riddled with caves, one of which near Haifa is traditionally known as the "Cave of Elijah", and considered by many Jews to have been the home of the Jewish biblical Prophet Elijah and his apprentice, Elisha.^[12] Furthermore, the highest peak of the Mount Carmel range is named El-Muhrrakah, an Arabic term meaning the burning, named on account of the belief that this was the exact spot of Elijah's biblical confrontation with hundreds of priests of a Baal; the Baal in question was probably Melqart.^[14] This article is about the land called Canaan. ... The first page of the Talmud, in the standard Vilna edition. ... Shikmona is an ancient mound situated near the seacoast on the southern entrance to the modern city of Haifa, Israel. ... Tzitzit or tzitzis (Ashkenazi) (Hebrew: Biblical ×¦×™×¦×ª Modern ×¦×™×¦×™×ª) are fringes or tassels worn by observant Jews on the corners of four-cornered garments, including the tallit (prayer shawl). ... Cohen (disambiguation) Position of the kohens hands and fingers during the Priestly Blessing A kohen (or cohen, Hebrew כּהן, priest, pl. ... Kishon River is a river in Israel that flows into the Mediterranean Sea at the city of Haifa. ... Elijah, 1638, by José de Ribera This article is about the prophet in the Hebrew Bible. ... Arabic can mean: From or related to Arabia From or related to the Arabs The Arabic language; see also Arabic grammar The Arabic alphabet, used for expressing the languages of Arabic, Persian, Malay ( Jawi), Kurdish, Panjabi, Pashto, Sindhi and Urdu, among others. ... For other uses, see Baal (disambiguation). ... Melqart (less accurately Melkart, Melkarth or Melgart (Greek disposed of the letter Q (Qoppa), replacing it with additional use of K (Kappa) and G (Gamma)), Akkadian Milqartu, was the tutelary god of the Phoenician city of Tyre, as Eshmun protected Sidon. ...

There are disputes over the exact location of early Haifa with many researchers believing that the name ‘Haifa’ is identical to a settlement of which the remains are found in an area that extends from the present-day Rambam Hospital to the Jewish Cemetery in Yafo Street.^[15] The residents of this time were largely thought to have been involved in various coastal industries, including fishing and agriculture as well as acting as a port welcoming groups of people who eventually settled in the city.^[15] Before the Persians came to the area in 600 CE, the population of Haifa is thought to have been very spread across the area.^[15] For other uses, see Port (disambiguation). ... The Persians of Iran (officially named Persia by West until 1935 while still referred to as Persia by some) are an Iranian people who speak Persian (locally named Fârsi by native speakers) and often refer to themselves as ethnic Iranians as well. ...

Byzantine and Crusader rule

Under Byzantine rule, Haifa continued to flourish, although never grew to great importance due to its proximity to Acre.^[16] The Byzantine ruled the settlement until the 7th century, when the city was conquered – first by the Persians, and then by the Arabs. In 1100, it was conquered again by the crusaders, after a fierce battle with its Jewish and Muslim inhabitants.^[6] Under crusader rule, the city was a part of the Principality of Galilee until the Muslim Mameluks captured it in 1265.^[17] Byzantine redirects here. ... For other uses, see Akko (disambiguation). ... The Sassanid Empire in the time of Shapur I; the conquest of Cappadocia was temporary Official language Pahlavi (Middle Persian) Dominant Religion Zoroastrianism Capital Ctesiphon Sovereigns Shahanshah of the Iran (Eranshahr) First Ruler Ardashir I Last Ruler Yazdegerd III Establishment 224 AD Dissolution 651 AD Part of the History of... A caliphate (from the Arabic خلافة or khilāfah), is the Islamic form of government representing the political unity and leadership of the Muslim world. ... Combatants Christendom, Catholicism West European Christians, Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia Seljuks, Arabs and other Muslims The First Crusade was launched in 1095 by Pope Urban II with the dual goals of liberating the sacred city of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslims and freeing the Eastern Christians from Muslim... For other uses, see Jew (disambiguation). ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... The Principality of Galilee was one of the four major seigneuries of the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, according to 13th-century commentator John of Ibelin. ... An Ottoman Mamluk, from 1810 Mamluks (or Mameluks) (the Arabic word usually translates as owned, singular: مملوك plural: مماليك) comprised slave soldiers used by the Muslim Caliphs and the Ottoman Empire, and who on more than one occasion seized power for themselves. ...

The Carmelites were founded at, and named after, Mount Carmel, in the 12th century.^[18] Since that time, at the peak of the Mount near Haifa, there has historically been a building that has variously been a mosque, monastery, and hospital; in the 19th century it was reconstructed as a Carmelite monastery, and a cave located there, which functions as the monastery's crypt, was treated as having once been Elijah's cave.^[19] The Order of Our Lady of Mt. ... The Masjid al-Haram in Mecca as it exists today A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. ... For the town in the Republic of Ireland, see Hospital, County Limerick. ... Crypt is also a commonly used name of water trumpets, aquatic plants. ...

Mameluke, Ottoman and Egyptian control

In 1265, the army of Baibars the Mameluke captured Haifa, destroying its fortifications, which were recently rebuilt by King Louis of France, as well as the majority of the city's homes in order to prevent the return of Christian groups from Europe from re-invading.^[17] As such, for much of their rule, the city was desolate for much of the Mameluke period of governance between the 13th and 16th centuries.^[20] Information from this period is very scarce.^[20] al-Malik al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baibars al-Bunduqdari (also spelled Baybars) (Arabic: ) was a Mamluk Sultan of Egypt and Syria. ... An Ottoman Mamluk, from 1810 Mamluks (or Mameluks) (the Arabic word usually translates as owned, singular: مملوك plural: مماليك) comprised slave soldiers used by the Muslim Caliphs and the Ottoman Empire, and who on more than one occasion seized power for themselves. ... King Louis can refer to a number of monarchs in history: A number of kings named Louis I A number of kings named Louis II A number of kings named Louis III A number of kings named Louis IV A number of kings named Louis V You may also be... An Ottoman Mamluk, from 1810 Mamluks (or Mameluks) (the Arabic word usually translates as owned, singular: مملوك plural: مماليك) comprised slave soldiers used by the Muslim Caliphs and the Ottoman Empire, and who on more than one occasion seized power for themselves. ...

In 1761 Dhaher al-Omar, Bedouin ruler of Acre and Galilee, destroyed and rebuilt the town in a new location, surrounding it with a wall.^[20] This event is marked as the beginning of the town's modern era. After El-Omar's death in 1775, the town remained under Ottoman rule until 1918, except for two brief periods: in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Haifa as part of his unsuccessful campaign to conquer Palestine and Syria, but withdrew in the same year; and between 1831 and 1840, the Egyptian viceroy Mehemet Ali governed, after his son Ibrahim Pasha wrested control from the Ottomans.^[21][22] A Bedouin man in Sinai Peninsula Bedouin, (from the Arabic (), pl. ... The Old City of Akko in the 19th or early 20th century, looking south-west from atop the Land Wall Promenade, the open space now a parking lot. ... For other uses, see Galilee (disambiguation). ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1683, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–1365) Edirne (1365–1453) Ä°stanbul (1453–1922) Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 (first) Osman I  - 1918–22 (last) Mehmed VI Grand Viziers  - 1320... Bonaparte as general Napoleon Bonaparte ( 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution and was the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from November 11, 1799 to May 18, 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des Français... A 2003 satellite image of the region. ... See Mehemet Ali (Turkey) for the Turkish foreign minister and regent. ... Ibrahim Pasha (Arabic: ابراهيم باشا) ‎ (1789 – 10 November 1848), a 19th century general of Egypt. ...

In the years following the Egyptian occupation, Haifa grew in population and importance while Acre suffered a decline. The arrival of the German Templers in 1868, who settled in what is now known as the German Colony of Haifa, was a turning point in Haifa's development.^[22] The Templers built and operated a steam-based power station, opened factories and inaugurated carriage service to Acre, Nazareth and Tiberias, playing a key role in modernizing the city.^[23] For other uses, see Akko (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Temple Society. ... The German Colony in Haifa was built by the Tempelgesellschaft, it was established in 1868 and was the first colony to be established by the Templers in the Holy Land. ... For other uses, see Akko (disambiguation). ... Hebrew (Natzrat or Natzeret) Arabic الناصرة (an-Nāṣira) Government City District North Population 64,800[1] Metropolitan Area: 185,000 (2006) Jurisdiction 14 200 dunams (14. ... Hebrew טבריה (Standard) Teverya Arabic طبرية Government City District North Population 39 900 (a) Jurisdiction 10 000 dunams (10 km²) Tiberias (British English: ; American English: ; Hebrew: , Tverya; Arabic: , abariyyah) is a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, Lower Galilee, Israel. ...

Under the British Mandate

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Haifa had emerged as an industrial port city and growing population center, reflected by the establishment of facilities like the Hejaz railway and the Technion.^[22] At that time, the Haifa District (which included a number of Arab locales surrounding the city of Haifa itself) was home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants, comprising 82% Muslim Arab, 14% Christian Arabs, and 4% Jewish residents. Jewish population increased steadily with immigration primarily from Europe, so that by 1945 the population had shifted to 33% Muslim, 20% Christian and 47% Jewish.^[24] In 1947 its population was estimated to consist of 41,000 Muslims, 74,230 Jews and 29,910 Christians.^[25] The Christian community was composed mostly of Greek Orthodox Church (Arab Orthodox). al Hejaz Station in Damascus, starting point of the railroad The 1050mm gauge Hejaz Railway (also Hedjaz, etc. ... Haifa District surrounding the city of Haifa in Israel, is one of six districts and includes the following towns and cities: Baqa al-Gharbiyye באקה אל-גרביה Hadera חדרה Haifa חיפה Nesher נשר Or Aqiva אור עקיבא Qiryat Atta קריית אתא Qiryat Bialik קריית ביאליק Qiryat Motzkin קריית מוצקין Qiryat Yam קריית ים Tirat Karmel טירת הכרמל Umm al-Fahm אום אל-פאחם Zikhron Yaaqov זכרון יעקב See also Districts of Israel... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ... Greek Orthodox Church (Greek: HellÄ“northódoxÄ“ EkklÄ“sía) can refer to any of several hierarchical churches within the larger group of mutually recognizing Eastern Orthodox churches. ... The Arab Orthodox are Arabic language speaking Greek Orthodox Christians who have resided in Palestine, Jordan and Israel since the Byzantine era. ...

It was in the late 19th century that the area rose to importance in the Bahá'í Faith as the remains of the Báb were moved to Acre and on, in 1909, to Haifa where a special tomb was erected for this purpose by `Abdu'l-Bahá, on Mount Carmel. Haifa remains an important site of worship, pilgrimage and administration for the members of the religion. The Bahá'í World Centre (comprising the Shrine of the Báb, terraced gardens and administrative buildings) are all on Mount Carmel's northern slope. The location of the Bahá'í holy places in Haifa has its roots to the imprisonment of the religion's founder, Bahá'u'lláh, near Haifa by the Ottoman Empire during the Ottoman Empire's rule over Palestine.<sup>[26]</sup> The Bahá'í holy places are also the most visited tourist attraction of the city.<sup>[27]</sup> This article is about the generally recognized global religious community. ... Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel. ... This article is about the unit of measurement. ... The Shrine of the Báb and its Terraces, 2003. ... The Baháí Arc from the International Archives building Shrine of the Báb and its associated terraces at the Baháí World Centre Shrine of the Báb The Baháí World Centre is the name given to the administrative centre of the Baháí Faith. ... Shrine of the Báb The Shrine of the Báb is the location where the Bábs remains have been laid to rest. ... The Shrine of the Báb and its Terraces, 2003. ... Haifa Bay from atop Mt. ... A view of Mount Carmel in 1894 University of Haifa atop Mount Carmel in 1996 For other uses, see Mount Carmel (disambiguation). ... Shrine of Baháulláh Baháulláh (ba-haa-ol-laa Arabic: Glory of God) (November 12, 1817 – May 29, 1892), born Mírzá usayn-`Alí Nuri (Persian: ), was the founder of the Baháí Faith. ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1683, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–1365) Edirne (1365–1453) Ä°stanbul (1453–1922) Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 (first) Osman I  - 1918–22 (last) Mehmed VI Grand Viziers  - 1320... A 2003 satellite image of the region. ...

Haifa is in the northernmost reach of the coastal plain designated as Jewish territory in the 1947 UN Partition Plan dividing mandatory Palestine, and was not excepted to the violence following that plan and culminating in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. On December 30, 1947 members of the Jewish militant group Irgun hurled two bombs into a crowd of Arabs who were waiting for construction jobs outside the gates of the Consolidated Refineries in Haifa, killing 6 and injuring 42, whereupon 2,000 Arab employees rioted and killed 39 Jewish employees in what has become known as the Haifa Oil Refinery massacre.^[28] Jewish forces retaliated by raiding the Arab village of Balad al-Shaykh on December 31, 1947. Jewish forces deemed control of Haifa a critical objective in the ensuing 1948 Arab-Israeli War, as it was the major industrial and oil refinery port in Palestine.^[28] The British withdrew from Haifa on April 21, 1948. The city was captured on April 23, 1948 by the Carmeli Brigade of the Haganah who were ordered into action by Mordechai Maklef at 10:30 am on April 21 following three months of unsuccessful attacks by Arab forces.^[28] The Israeli Coastal Plain (Hebrew: , Mishor HaHof) is a name to the flat and low-lying narrow strip around the Mediterranean Sea. ... On 29 November 1947 the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine or United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181, a plan to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in the British Mandate of Palestine, was approved by the United Nations General Assembly. ... Flag The approximate borders of the British Mandate circa 1922. ... Combatants  Israel Haganah Irgun Lehi Palmach Foreign Volunteers Egypt, Syria, Transjordan,  Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen[2], Holy War Army, Arab Liberation Army Commanders Yaakov Dori, Yigael Yadin John Bagot Glubb, Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, Hasan Salama, Fawzi Al-Qawuqji, Ahmed Ali al-Mwawi Strength  Israel: 29,677 initially... Combatants  Israel Haganah Irgun Lehi Palmach Foreign Volunteers Egypt, Syria, Transjordan,  Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen[2], Holy War Army, Arab Liberation Army Commanders Yaakov Dori, Yigael Yadin John Bagot Glubb, Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, Hasan Salama, Fawzi Al-Qawuqji, Ahmed Ali al-Mwawi Strength  Israel: 29,677 initially... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Irgun emblem. ... The Haifa Oil Refinery Massacre occurred on December 30, 1947, just after the 1947 UN Partition Plan for Palestine. ... Balad al-Shaykh, was an Arab village in Palestine, now part of the Israeli town of Nesher. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants  Israel Haganah Irgun Lehi Palmach Foreign Volunteers Egypt, Syria, Transjordan,  Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen[2], Holy War Army, Arab Liberation Army Commanders Yaakov Dori, Yigael Yadin John Bagot Glubb, Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, Hasan Salama, Fawzi Al-Qawuqji, Ahmed Ali al-Mwawi Strength  Israel: 29,677 initially... View of Shell Oil Refinery in Martinez, California. ... A 2003 satellite image of the region. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Haifa was one of the primary objectives of Plan Dalet in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Haganah (Hebrew: Defense, ×”×’× ×”) was a Zionist para-military organization in Palestine during the British mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Modern Haifa

Today, Haifa has a population of about 266,300 people. 90% of the population are predominantly Israeli-Jews and a few "others". The latter group consists of Israelis without religious classification, mostly immigrants from the former Soviet Union, from mixed-marriage families of Jewish origin. According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli-Arabs constitute 9% of Haifa's population, the majority living in Wadi Nisnas, Abbas and Khalisa neighborhoods.^[29] The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (הלשכה המרכזית לסטטיסטיקה), often abbreviated to CBS, is the Israeli government bureau commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Israel. ... Arab citizens of Israel, Arabs of Israel or Arab population of Israel are terms used by Israeli authorities and Israeli Hebrew-speaking media to refer to non-Jewish Arabs who are citizens of the State of Israel. ... Khalisa, Palermo Al-Khalisa the districts Arabic name, meaning the purest was centre of the city of Balharm (Palermo) conquered by the Normans during a battle early in 1072. ...

Following the Israeli War of Independence, the city recovered relatively quickly due to the city’s role as gateway for immigration. Thousands of immigrants were absorbed into the neighborhoods which were previously Arab, before new housing projects containing mostly blocks of flats, were built. These new neighborhoods include Kiryat Hayim, a municipal housing project, western Kiryat Hayim and Ramot Remez, Ramat Shaul and Kiryat Sprintzak, and Kiryat Eliezer. Furthermore, educational and public institutions were expanded and created including the Bnei Zion Hospital and the Central Synagogue. In 1953, a master plan was created for transportation programme and the future architectural layout of the city.^[22] The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, called the War of Independence by Israelis and al Nakba the catastrophe by Arabs, was the first in a series of wars in the Arab-Israeli conflict. ...

In 1959, Haifa saw large social and community discomfort with riots taking place in the neighborhood Wadi Salib. These formerly Arabic neighborhoods were subsequently demolished as people were moved to newer neighborhoods and replaced by modern, more functional ones.^[22] In the early 1970s, Haifa's population reached 200,000 and consultation about expanding the city began taking place with new neighborhoods and streets being constructed in the 1980s and 1990s. The mass immigration to Israel from the former Soviet Union increased the population of Haifa by 35,000.^[22] Wadi Salib is a neighbourhood in Haifa, Israel, between Hadar HaKarmel and Qiryat Rabin. ...

Haifa was hit by 93 Hezbollah rockets during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict killing eleven civilians in the city, and leading to half of the city's population fleeing after the first week of the war.^[30] Israeli photo of Hezbollah 220mm rocket launcher Hezbollahs rocket force possesses 20,000 rockets and is Hezbollahs main attack weapon in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, having fired some 3,970 rockets into Israel from southern Lebanon, killing at least 42 civilians and 12 soldiers (as of August... Combatants Hezbollah Amal LCP  Israel Commanders Hassan Nasrallah (Secretary General of Hezbollah) Imad Mughniyeh (Commander of Hezbollahs armed wing)[5] Dan Halutz (CoS) Moshe Kaplinsky[12] Udi Adam (Regional) Strength 600-1,000 active fighters 3,000-10,000 reservists[6] 30,000 ground troops (plus IAF & ISC)[13...

Demographics

Haifa is Israel's third-largest city with a population of 266,300, consisting of 103,000 households.^[2] The population is divided between religions with 82% Jewish, 4% Muslim, and 14% Christian (both Arab and non-Arab). The greatest origin of immigrants to Haifa is from the former Soviet Union since 1989, who now make up 25% of the city's population. Despite this influx of immigrants, however, Haifa has seen a steady population decline, especially since 2001, and it is unclear what will happen to this in the future, with some arguing that the population will continue to decline, while others feel that, due to the performance of the hi-tech industry in the city, the negative immigration trend will end, or even be reversed in the future. Haifa has an ageing population compared to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as younger people have moved away from the city for education and jobs in the central part of the country, and young families have migrated out to bedroom communities in the vicinity of Haifa. The changing demographics of the city are also affecting its religious split. In general, the Jewish residents of the city are ageing and the younger ones leaving, while the number of Christians and Muslims is growing.^[33] In 2006, 27% of the Arab population was age 0-14 compared to 17% in the Jewish and other population groups. This trend continues with 27% of Arabs aged 15-29, and 23% 30-44. The population of Jewish and other groups in these age groups are 22% and 18% respectively. 19% of the city's Jewish and other population is between 45 and 59 compared to 14% in the Arab population. This trend continues with 14% of Jews and others aged 60-74 and 10% over age 75, in comparison to 7% and just 2% respectively in the Arab population.^[31] The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... Tel-Aviv was founded on empty dunes north of the existing city of Jaffa. ... For other uses, see Jerusalem (disambiguation). ...

Many see Haifa as a model for coexistence in Israel as the relationships between the Arab and Jewish, and Muslim and Christian groups in Haifa are for the most part good. The local government is not influenced by the large-scale political divides between the groups in daily management of the city, for example. Despite the continued existence of distinctly Arab neighborhoods in Haifa, increasingly, wealthier Arabs are moving into affluent, Jewish neighborhoods.^[33]

By national standards, Haifa's Jewish population is relatively secular. In 2006, 2.9% of the Jews in the city were ultra-religious, compared to 7.5% on a national scale.^[31] 5.0% were classed as religious versus 9.8% nationally, and 6.7% were traditional but religious compared to 13.8% nationally, whilst 19.0% were traditional but not religious versus 25.1% nationally.^[31] Haifa makes up for this with a non-religious secular percentage of 66.6% versus the national average of 43.7%.^[31]

Geography

An aerial view of Haifa Bay and the city

Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia.^[34] Located on Mount Carmel around Haifa Bay, the city is split over three tiers.^[35] The lowest is the center of commerce and industry including the Port of Haifa.^[35] The middle level is on the slopes of Mount Carmel and consists of older residential neighborhoods, while the upper level consists of modern neighborhoods looking over the lower tiers.^[35] From here views can be had across the Western Galilee region of Israel towards Rosh HaNikra and the Lebanese border.^[35] Haifa is about 90 kilometers (55.9 mi) north of the city of Tel Aviv, and has a large number of beaches on the Mediterranean.^[36] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Israeli Coastal Plain (Hebrew: , Mishor HaHof) is a name to the flat and low-lying narrow strip around the Mediterranean Sea. ... Via Maris is an ancient trading route dating from the Early Bronze Age which linked Egypt with the northern empires of Syria, Anatolia and Mesopotamia - modern day Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria. ... A view of Mount Carmel in 1894 University of Haifa atop Mount Carmel in 1996 For other uses, see Mount Carmel (disambiguation). ... Haifa Bay Haifa Bay is a small bay along the Mediterranean coast of Northern Israel. ... The Port of Haifa is the main Israeli international seaport. ... Galilee (Hebrew hagalil הגליל, Arabic al-jaleel الجليل), meaning circuit, is a large area overlappping with much of the North District of Israel. ... Rosh Hanikra (also Rosh Haniqra; Hebrew: ) is a kibbutz in the Mateh Asher Regional Council in Israel. ... Blue Line can refer to: Blue line (ice hockey) - In ice hockey, the line between center ice and each teams zone. ... Tel-Aviv was founded on empty dunes north of the existing city of Jaffa. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ...

Climate

Haifa has a mediterranean climate with hot, humid summers and cool, rainy winters (Köppen climate classification Csa).^[37] Spring arrives in March when temperatures begin to increase. By late May, the temperature has warmed up considerably to herald warm summer days. The average temperature in summer is 26 °C (79 °F) and in winter, 12 °C (54 °F). Snow is rare in Haifa, but temperatures around 6 °C (43 °F) can sometimes occur, usually in the early morning. Humidity tends to be high all year round, and rain usually occurs between October and April. Annual precipitation is approximately 524 millimeters (21 in).  Areas with Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate is a climate that resembles the climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin. ... Updated Köppen-Geiger climate map[1] The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. ... Spring is one of the four temperate seasons. ...

Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (הלשכה המרכזית לסטטיסטיקה) is a state organization for the creation and maintenance of numeric data related to populations vis-à-vis the ethnic makeup of Israel and its cities. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ...

Neighborhoods

A restored templer building in Haifa

The Bat Galim neighborhood on the lowest tier of the city

The IEC Tower, Haifa's tallest building

Main article: Neighborhoods of Haifa

Haifa is made up of a large number of neighborhoods that have developed over time throughout its history. As a general rule of thumb, the older neighborhoods are on the second tier of Mount Carmel and the newer ones on the third tier, although there are neighborhoods on the lowest level, perhaps most notably the German Colony, which has recently been restored.^[35] Haifa is a diverse city with Arab and Jewish population groups who live in neighborhoods across the city. Whilst there are general divisions between neighborhoods of these two groups, there is an increasing trend for wealthy Arabs to move into affluent, Jewish neighborhoods.^[33] The German Colony in Haifa was built by the Tempelgesellschaft, it was established in 1868 and was the first colony to be established by the Templers in the Holy Land. ... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ...

Recently, residential construction has been concentrated around a number of neighborhoods in the city; Qiryat Hayyim and Qiryat Shemu'el, which between 2002 and 2004, saw approximately 75,000 sq m. of new residential construction, Carmel, which saw approximately 70,000 sq m, and Ramot Nawe Sha'anan also with approximately 70,000 sq m.^[41] The greatest concentrations of non-residential construction were in the Lower Town, where construction began on 90,000 sq m of non-residential space, in Haifa Bay where construction began on approximately 72,000 sq m over the period, and Ramot Nawe Sha'anan with 54,000 sq m.^[41] In 2004, 80% of construction in the city was private, with the remaining 20% publically initiated.^[41]

As of 2005, Haifa had 110,194 dwellings, the greatest numbers of which are in the Carmel neighborhoods (19,553), the Hadar neighborhoods (18,473), and the Western Haifa neighborhoods (17,700).^[41] The largest single neighborhoods in terms of residential units are Central and Western Carmel with 8,941, Bat Gallim and Qiryat Eliezer in Western Haifa with 8,661, and Shikmona Beach in Western Haifa with 8,538 units.^[41]

Neighborhoods in the city each possess individual architectural and demographic characteristics. Near the Bay, the Hadar neighborhood which is the commercial center of the city and the home to some of the older neighborhoods.^[42] Also at this level is the German Colony, which was constructed in the late nineteenth century, and is the first example of urban planning in Israel. Today, it has a largely Arab Christian population. Most of the city's Arab population live in three neighborhoods, however, Khalisa, Abbas and Wadi Nisnas.^[43] Neve Sha'anan is by contrast, a neighborhood located on the second tier of Mount Carmel, home to a largely observant Jewish population as well as a sizeable Russian immigrant population. Founded in the 1920s almost all single-story houses here have been replaced with 4-story apartment buildings. Furthermore, Israel’s only Ahmadi Muslim community is based in Haifa’s Kababir neighborhood.^[43] Beta Centauri (β Cen / β Centauri), also known as Hadar or Agena, is the second brightest star in the constellation Centaurus and the eleventh brightest star in the nighttime sky. ... Neve Shaanan (; Hebrew: ) is a vast neighborhood in Haifa, Israel which extends from the lower incline