Bethlehem Governorate

The Bethlehem Governorate ( _ar. محافظة بيت لحم) 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 capital is Bethlehem Municipality. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, its population was 180,116 in mid-year 2006. [http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop10.aspx]

Geography

According to the Bethlehem Municipality, the city has a total area of 575 km² (222.3 mi²). Of this area, 80 km² (30.8 mi²) in currently under the control of the Palestinian National Authority. [Bethlehem Public Relations Department, January 10, 2007 + Palestinian National Information Center] [ [http://www.pnic.gov.ps/english/geography/Residential_Bethlehem.html Palestinian website] ]

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.

Localities

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

Municipalities

*Battir
*Beit Fajjar
*Beit Jala
*Beit Sahour
*Beit Lahm (Bethlehem)
*al-Dawha
*Husan
*al-Khader
*Nahalin
*Tuqu'
*al-Ubeidiya
*Za'atara

Local and village councils

*'Arab al-Rashayida
*Artas
*al-Asakra
*Beit Ta'mir
*Dar Salah
*Hindaza
*al 'Iqab
*Juhdum
*Jurat ash Sham'a
*Khirbet al-Deir
*Marah Rabah
*Rakhme
*Umm Salamuna
*ash Shawawra
*Wadi al-Arayis
*Wadi Fukin
*al-Walaja

Refugee camps

*Aida
*'Azza
*Dheisheh

References