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Palestine

✨ The land of thousand-year-old olive trees

Palestine, officially referred to at the United Nations as the State of Palestine, is located in Western Asia on the eastern Mediterranean. Its territory claimed on the basis of the 1967 borders consists of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Together, these two areas cover roughly 6,000 square kilometres, although they are geographically separated. The West Bank contains hills, valleys and parts of the Jordan Valley, while the Gaza Strip is a narrow coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea.

The region has a Mediterranean climate, with generally mild, wetter winters and hot, dry summers, although conditions vary with elevation and location. Palestinian communities live in many cities and towns, including Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem and Gaza City. Because Palestine's territory is divided into separate areas and its political status remains closely linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, geographical and political descriptions require careful distinction between the State of Palestine, the Palestinian territories and historic Palestine.

Palestine has a long history shaped by successive civilizations, religions and cultures. Its location at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean made the region an important route for trade and cultural exchange. Jerusalem holds major religious significance for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, while Bethlehem is traditionally associated with the birthplace of Jesus. The Palestinian economy includes agriculture, services, trade and small-scale manufacturing, with olive cultivation playing an important role in many rural areas.

Palestine was proclaimed as a state by the Palestine National Council in 1988, and the United Nations General Assembly granted it non-member observer State status in 2012. The Palestinian Authority administers parts of the West Bank, while the Gaza Strip and West Bank remain politically and geographically separated. The status of Jerusalem, borders and other core issues remain subjects of international dispute and negotiation. Arabic is the main language spoken by Palestinians, and Palestinian culture is expressed through literature, music, traditional crafts, cuisine and a strong heritage of local communities.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that Palestine is home to Jericho, nicknamed the 'City of Palms'? It is located 258 meters below sea level! Inhabited for over 10,000 years, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the entire planet. Imagine: your very, very distant ancestors could have walked on exactly the same ground as you today!

Olive trees are the true guardians of Palestine. Some are so old, like in Al-Walaja, that they could be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old! They are treated with great respect because they have seen dozens of generations pass. For Palestinian families, the olive harvest season is a big festival: everyone helps pick the fruit to make a delicious and golden olive oil.

Have you heard of 'Tatreez'? It is a magnificent hand-made embroidery by Palestinian women for centuries. Each dress (called a Thob) has patterns that tell the person's story: the colors and designs (like cypresses or roses) show whether she comes from Jerusalem, Gaza, or Hebron. It is a true artistic secret code passed down from mother to daughter!