West Bank
Capital
Ramallah (administrative), Jerusalem (claimed)
Population
~3 million (including Israeli settlers)
Currency
Israeli shekel (ILS), Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Arabic, Hebrew
- Religion
- Islam (majority), Judaism (settlements), Christianity (historic communities)
- Climate
- Mediterranean; hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters
Culture & History
Known for: its geopolitical significance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, holy sites (including Bethlehem and Hebron), and ongoing territorial disputes
Also famous for: ancient olive groves, separation barrier, and divided governance (Palestinian Authority areas vs. Israeli settlements)
Food: Musakhan (roasted chicken with sumac), maqluba (upside-down rice dish), olive oil
Brief History
Part of Ottoman Empire; British Mandate (1920-1948); Jordanian control (1948-1967); Israeli occupation since 1967; partial Palestinian self-rule since Oslo Accords (1990s)