Jerusalem

Jerusalem
רון קישנבסקי · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Jerusalem
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	31, 46, 44, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Israel
Established title	Founded
Established date	c. 3000–2800 BCE
Government type	Municipality
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Moshe Lion
Area total km2	125.2
Population total	966,000
Population as of	2022

Jerusalem. A city of profound antiquity and deep spiritual resonance, it stands as a focal point for three major world religions. Its history is a complex tapestry woven from Canaanite origins, Jewish kingdoms, Roman rule, Islamic caliphates, Crusader conquests, and Ottoman administration. Today, it serves as the seat of the Knesset and the Supreme Court of Israel, while its status remains one of the core issues in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

History

Archaeological evidence indicates settlement as early as the Bronze Age, with the city known as Jebus to its Canaanite inhabitants. It gained central prominence under King David, who established it as the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. His son, Solomon, built the First Temple, making the city the religious heart of Judaism. Following periods of Babylonian exile and Second Temple construction, the city came under Herodian expansion before its destruction by the Roman Empire in 70 CE after the First Jewish–Roman War. Renamed Aelia Capitolina, it later became a major center of Christianity under the Byzantine Empire, which constructed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Rashidun Caliphate captured the city in 638 CE, and the Umayyad Caliphate later built the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Crusades saw the city become the capital of the Kingdom of Jerusalem after its capture in 1099. Subsequent control passed to the Ayyubid dynasty, the Mamluk Sultanate, and finally the Ottoman Empire for four centuries until the British Mandate for Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the city was divided between Israel and Jordan, a division ended by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967.

Geography and climate

The city is situated in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Its urban landscape spans several prominent hills, including Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives. The historic core, known as the Old City, is surrounded by formidable walls built by Suleiman the Magnificent and is divided into the Armenian Quarter, Christian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, and Muslim Quarter. The climate is characterized as a Mediterranean climate, featuring hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, with occasional snowfall. Notable valleys within its topography include the Kidron Valley and the Hinnom Valley.

Demographics

With a population exceeding 950,000, it is the most populous city in Israel. The demographic composition is approximately 60% Jewish and 40% Arab, the majority of whom are Palestinian Muslims, with a significant minority of Christian and Armenian residents. Linguistic diversity is marked, with Hebrew and Arabic serving as official languages, while English is widely spoken. Key population groups include Haredi Jews, secular Jews, and various Arab communities.

Religious significance

Venerated as a holy city in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it contains sites central to each faith. For Jews, it is the site of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple. Christians revere it as the location of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, centered on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Other significant Christian sites include the Via Dolorosa and the Room of the Last Supper. In Islam, it is considered the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina, as the place from which the Islamic prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven during the Isra and Mi'raj, associated with the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Government and politics

It is governed by the Jerusalem Municipality, headed by Mayor Moshe Lion. It is proclaimed as the capital of Israel, housing the Knesset, the Supreme Court, and the official residences of the President of Israel and Prime Minister of Israel. However, its final status is intensely disputed, with the State of Palestine claiming East Jerusalem as its capital, a position supported by much of the international community. Key diplomatic missions, such as the U.S. Embassy, are located there, and issues of sovereignty and administration are central to negotiations mediated by entities like the United Nations Security Council.

Culture and landmarks

The city is a mosaic of cultural institutions and historic sites. Beyond the religious landmarks of the Old City, notable sites include the Israel Museum, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, and the Bloomfield Science Museum. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a major academic center. Cultural life features events like the Jerusalem Film Festival and the Israel Festival. Architectural styles range from Ottoman and Mandate-era buildings to modern constructions in neighborhoods like Givat Ram. The Mahane Yehuda Market offers a vibrant sensory experience of local food and commerce.

Category:Jerusalem Category:Populated places established in the 4th millennium BC Category:Capitals in Asia