Jerusalem

Jerusalem is an ancient city located in the Southern Levant.

It sits on a plateau within the Judaean Mountains. This high ground lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea.

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. It holds immense religious significance for three major Abrahamic faiths. These are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Because of this, it is often called a holy city.

The city's history is marked by constant change and conflict. Throughout its long existence, Jerusalem has been destroyed at least twice. It has faced 23 separate sieges and 52 different attacks. The city has also been captured and recaptured 44 times. These cycles of warfare have shaped its physical and political landscape. The earliest signs of human settlement appeared in the 4th millennium BCE. These were likely small encampments used by nomadic shepherds near the Gihon Spring. This area is often referred to as the City of David.

Over many centuries, the city's name and identity evolved. During the Canaanite period in the 14th century BCE, it was called Urusalim. Ancient Egyptian tablets suggest this name might mean "City of Shalem." Shalem was a Canaanite deity associated with dusk. The name may also relate to the Semitic root for peace. Some scholars suggest the name "Yerushalayim" implies the city sits on two hills. Later, during the Israelite period, the city became a major center. By the 9th century BCE, it served as a religious and administrative hub for the Kingdom of Judah.

The physical layout of the city is defined by its historic walls. In 1538, Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire rebuilt these walls. Today, these fortifications enclose the area known as the Old City.

The Old City is quite small, covering only 0.9 square kilometers. It is divided into four distinct quarters. These are the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim quarters.

Because of its importance, the Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is currently listed as being in danger.

Religious sites are concentrated within the small area of the Old City. The Temple Mount is a site of major importance. It contains the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the al-Aqsa Mosque.

For Christians, the city is sacred due to the New Testament accounts of Jesus. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a vital site for this faith.

In Islam, Jerusalem is the third-holiest city. It is the site where Muhammad is said to have made his Night Journey. This journey included an ascent to heaven to speak with God.

Jerusalem is a large and diverse modern city. Since 1860, it has grown far beyond the boundaries of the Old City. In 2024, the population reached 1,050,153 people. The population is made up of different religious and ethnic groups. In 2022, approximately 60% of residents were Jews and almost 40% were Palestinians. Data from 2020 shows a specific breakdown of these groups. There were 570,100 Jews, 353,800 Muslims, and 16,300 Christians. This diversity makes the city a complex place to live.

The political status of Jerusalem is a central issue in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Both Israel and Palestine claim the city as their capital. Israel maintains its primary government institutions within the city. This includes the Knesset, which is the parliament. It also houses the residences of the prime minister and president. The Supreme Court is also located here.

Palestine views the city as its future seat of power. Most of the international community does not recognize these claims. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a special international regime for the city. However, wars in 1948 and 1967 changed the city's control. Israel now administers the city, but many regard East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory.