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Ramallah

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Ramallah is a major city located in the central West Bank, Palestine.

2018 OCHA OpT map Ramallah
2018 OCHA OpT map Ramallah

It serves as the administrative capital of Palestine. It is also the capital of the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate. The city sits high on the Judaean Mountains, just north of Jerusalem. It is located directly adjacent to the area of al-Bireh.

Ramallah Residential
Ramallah Residential

Because of its location, the city is an essential political, cultural, and economic hub for the region.

The city has deep historical roots that reach back many centuries. Archaeologists have discovered ancient rock-cut tombs near the area. The site of Tell en-Nasbeh is located just south of the built-up city. This site is likely the location of the biblical Mizpah in Benjamin. Some buildings in Ramallah use masonry from the reign of Herod the Great. This period lasted from 37 BCE to 4 BCE. Other artifacts, such as potsherds, come from the Crusader, Ayyubid, and early Ottoman periods. The city has also been identified with a Crusader place called Ramalie.

Modern Ramallah was founded in the 16th century by the Hadadeens. The Hadadeens were an Arab Christian clan descended from the Ghassanids. Their leader, Rashid el-Haddadin, moved the group from east of the Jordan River. They came from the areas of Karak and Shoubak due to fighting and unrest. The group chose the Judaean Mountains because the terrain felt familiar. The heavily forested landscape also provided fuel for their metal forges.

Der Ghassanah village
Der Ghassanah village

In 1596, the city was part of the Quds (Jerusalem) district within the Ottoman Empire. At that time, the population included 71 Christian households and 9 Muslim households.

Political control of Ramallah has shifted many times through different eras. In 1517, the Ottoman Empire incorporated the area. During World War I, the British Army captured the region in December 1917. This led to the period of British Mandatory Palestine starting in 1920. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jordan annexed the West Bank, including Ramallah. Residents could move between the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria during this time. However, Israel captured the city during the Six-Day War in 1967.

2018 OCHA OpT map Ramallah
2018 OCHA OpT map Ramallah

Following the 1967 war, Israel imposed military rule for over forty years. The Israeli Civil Administration was established in 1981 to manage civilian services. This included issuing permits for travel, building, and hosting relatives. The administration also managed tax collection and land expropriation. Some residents faced the seizure of olive groves they had tended for generations. During the First Intifada in 1987, residents protested the occupation. This period saw intense demonstrations and the use of curfews by the Israeli military. In response to school closures, residents organized home schooling as a form of civil disobedience.

The 1995 Oslo Accords changed the governance of the city significantly. Under these accords, Ramallah was designated as Area A. This means the Palestinian Authority (PA) holds full civil and security control. The Israeli army withdrew from the Mukataa in December 1995.

Ramallah Muqata'a 2013
Ramallah Muqata'a 2013

The Mukataa is a vital site that houses the official residence of the Palestinian president. It also contains the Palestinian Legislative Council and the Palestinian Security Services headquarters. The years following the accords, known as the Oslo Years, saw a period of relative prosperity. Many expatriates returned to the city to start new businesses.

Today, Ramallah is a diverse and growing urban center. By 2017, the population reached 38,998 residents. While the city was historically predominantly Christian, Muslims now constitute the majority. Christians still make up a significant minority of the population. The city is known for its cultural centers, museums, and a notable nightlife scene.

Ramallah Moevenpick
Ramallah Moevenpick

It features a mix of architectural styles, from old stone houses to modern towers.

Ammar Tower 02
Ammar Tower 02

The city continues to function as a vital center for Palestinian government and daily life.

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🖼️ Images & Media (16)
File:Ramallah, Quaker Mission School. Photographed in 1937 LOC matpc.09098.jpg
Ramallah, Quaker Mission School....
File:2018 OCHA OpT map Ramallah.jpg
2018 OCHA OpT map Ramallah.jpg
File:Psagot Settlement.JPG
Psagot Settlement.JPG
File:Ramallah Muqata'a 2013.jpg
Ramallah Muqata'a 2013.jpg
File:Ramallah Residential.JPG
Ramallah Residential.JPG
File:Koppen World Map (Mediterranean Sea area only).png
Koppen World Map (Mediterranean Sea area only).png
File:Der Ghassanah village.jpg
Der Ghassanah village.jpg
File:Rawabi - industrial area.jpg
Rawabi - industrial area.jpg
File:Ammar_Tower_02.jpg
Ammar_Tower_02.jpg
File:مستشفى هوغو تشافيز، ترمسعيا 02.jpg
مستشفى هوغو تشافيز، ترمسعيا 02.jpg
File:Istishari Arab Hospital 004.jpg
Istishari Arab Hospital 004.jpg
File:2010-08 Ramallah 39.jpg
2010-08 Ramallah 39.jpg

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