BETHLEHEM GOVERNORATE

The 'Bethlehem Governorate' () is one of 16 Governorates of the West Bank and Gaza Strip within the Palestinian Territories. It covers an area of the West Bank, south of Jerusalem. It's principal city and district captial is Bethlehem Municipality. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, its population was 180,116 in mid-year 2006.^[1]

Contents

Geography

Politics

Localites

Municipality

Refugee Camps

Rural Districts

References

References

Geography

According to the Bethlehem Municipality, the city has a total area of 575 km² (222.3 m²). Of this area, 80 km² (30.8 m²) in currently under the control of the Palestinian National Authority.^[2][3]

Politics

Politically, the Bethlehem Governorate is something of a stronghold of the Palestinian left. At the Palestinian legislative election, 2006 the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and The Alternative both had their best votes there. Its current governor is Salah al-Tamari.

Localites

The governorate consists of 10 municipalities, 3 refugee camps, and 58 rural districts

Municipality

★ al-Abeedia

★ Beit Fajjar

★ Beit Jala

★ Beit Sahour

★ Beit Lahm (Bethlehem)

★ al-Dawha

★ al-Khader

★ Rahma

★ Taqua

★ Za'atara

Refugee Camps

★ Aida

★ Azaa

★ Dheisheh

Rural Districts

★ Abu Njeem

★ Arab al-Rashaida

★ Artas

★ al-Asakra

★ al-Azazma

★ al-Baida

★ Bareeda

★ Battir

★ Beit Tamar

★ Beit Faluh

★ Dar Salah

★ Fakht al-Jul

★ al-Fardees

★ al-Hadaida

★ al-Hajila

★ al-Halqum

★ Harmala

★ Hindaza

★ Husan

★ al-Iqab

★ Jahathem

★ Jibat al-Thiib

★ Jourat al-Shamaa

★ al-Khaas

★ al-Khasha

★ Khilet Afana

★ Khilet al-Baluta

★ Khilet al-Hadad

★ Khilet Hamad

★ Khilet al-Lawza

★ Khilat al-Noemaan

★ Khilet al-Qaranin

★ Khilet Sakaria

★ Khirbet al-Deer

★ Khirbet al-Nakhlaa

★ Khirebet Taqu

★ Kisan

★ al-Maesara

★ al-Manshiya

★ Marah Maela

★ Marah Rabah

★ al-Minya

★ Nahaleen

★ Ras al-Waad

★ al-Rawin

★ al-Shawawra

★ al-Thabra

★ Thaher al-Nada

★ Umm Assala

★ Umm Salamuna

★ Wadi al-Arayes

★ Wadi Fukhin

★ Wadi Muhammad

★ Wadi al-Nis

★ Wadi Rahal

★ Wadi Umm Qalaa

★ al-Walaja

References

1. http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop10.aspx
2. Bethlehem Public Relations Department, January 10, 2007 + Palestinian National Information Center
3. http://www.pnic.gov.ps/english/geography/Residential_Bethlehem.html Palestinian website

References

1. http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop10.aspx
2. Bethlehem Public Relations Department, January 10, 2007 + Palestinian National Information Center
3. http://www.pnic.gov.ps/english/geography/Residential_Bethlehem.html Palestinian website