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| {{Infobox Israel muni | {{Infobox Israel muni | ||
| |name=Ashdod | |name=Ashdod | ||
| <tr><th colspan=2>]<BR>''The Settlements' Logo''</th></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Founding year</td><td>1956</td></tr> | |||
| |image=AshdodLogo.png | |image=AshdodLogo.png | ||
| |imgsize=120 | |imgsize=120 | ||
| |hebname=אשדוד | |hebname=אשדוד | ||
| |arname= | |||
| ⚫ | |population= |
||
| |meaning= | |||
| |founded=1956 | |||
| |type=city | |||
| |typefrom=1968 | |||
| |stdHeb= | |||
| |altOffSp= | |||
| |altUnoSp= | |||
| |district=south | |||
| ⚫ | |population=196,900 | ||
| |popyear=2004 | |||
| |area=60,000 | |area=60,000 | ||
| |areakm=60 | |areakm=60 | ||
| |mayor=] | |||
| <tr><th colspan=2 bgcolor=#99cccc>population</th></tr> | |||
| }} | |||
| <tr><td>Ages 0-4</td><td>10.5%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Ages 5-9</td><td>9.3%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Ages 10-14</td><td>8.2%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Ages 15-19</td><td>7.7%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Ages 20-29</td><td>15.4%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><tr>Ages 30-44</td><td>19.2%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Ages 45-49</td><td>15.1%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Ages 60-64</td><td>4.1%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>65 and up</td><td>10.5%</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><th colspan=2 bgcolor=#99cccc>Education</th></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Total of schools</td><td>95</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td> Primary</td><td>66</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td> Super-primary</td><td>42</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Pupils</td><td>39570</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td> Primary</td><td>19785</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td> Super-primary</td><td>14368</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Number of classes</td><td>1284</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Avergae pupils<BR>per class</td><td>26.6</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td align=center colspan=2 bgcolor=#cccccc>According to the CBS statistics <br>for the end of year 2001</td></tr> | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ], 2/2006]] | |||
| ] | |||
| '''Ashdod''' is a ] in the ] of ]. It is located in the south of the ]. Its jurisdiction is 60,000 ]s (60 km²). It was declared a city in 1968. According to the ] (CBS), Ashdod had a population of 196,900 at the end of 2004. The annual population growth rate is 2.6%. The ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000. | '''Ashdod''' is a ] in the ] of ]. It is located in the south of the ]. Its jurisdiction is 60,000 ]s (60 km²). It was declared a city in 1968. According to the ] (CBS), Ashdod had a population of 196,900 at the end of 2004. The annual population growth rate is 2.6%. The ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000. | ||
Revision as of 14:30, 23 July 2006
Ashdod is a city in the Southern District of Israel. It is located in the south of the Israeli Coastal Plain. Its jurisdiction is 60,000 dunams (60 km²). It was declared a city in 1968. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Ashdod had a population of 196,900 at the end of 2004. The annual population growth rate is 2.6%. The ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000.
History
The beginning of the human settlement in the area of Ashdod is in the Paleolithic Age. During all three Stone Ages there was much human activity, and it is even mentioned in Ugaritic documents. At the end of the 13th century BC the Sea Peoples conquered the city and destroyed it.
At the beginning of the 12th century BCE the Philistines took over Ashdod, and during the years the city prospered and apparently became their capital. During the 10th century BCE it became, along with all the kingdom of Philistia a patronage area of the Kingdom of Israel under the control of King David. In 950 BCE it was destroyed in the conquering journey of Pharaoh Siamun and was rehabilitated in 815 BCE. A little later it was conquered by Uzziah, and afterwards by Sargon II, who destroyed and exiled its residents. The city absorbed another blow in 605 BCE, when Nebuchadnezzar conquered it. In 539 BCE the city had been rehabilitated by the Persians, but was conquered in the wars of Alexander of Macedon, when its name was changed into Izotus.
The city prospered as Izotus under the Hellenist rule, until the Hasmonean Revolt. During the rebellion Judas Maccabeus arrived at its gates, but didn't conquer it. He had left it behind for his brother Jonathan, who conquered it in 147 BCE and destroyed the Temple of Dagon. The importance of the city continued until the seventh century, then Ashdod-Sea was established - Azotus Paraliyus - and the importance of Ashdod faded. The Fatimids established shore fortresses in the area, and on Tel-Ashdod an Arabic village was established.
The location of the village on Via Maris resulted in an increase in its importance during the Ottoman age, when there was in the place a big village called Isdud, and in it a khan. In 1596 CE the population of Ashdod numbered 413 persons. In the beginning of the 20th century the city's population numbered 5,000 persons who earned their living by agriculture and trade, and the city became a municipal center for the villages around.
Modern times
Immediately at the beginning of the Independence War Egyptian forces took over Isdud, and the city became the most front advancement point of the Egyptian forces in their way to Tel-Aviv. Battles were conducted in the area during the war. The city was surrounded during Operation Yoav, and the Egyptian Forces, fearing encirclement, retreated on October 28th, 1948 and with them the decisive majority if not all of the city's residents. According to the historian Benny Morris, about 300 residents had flown white flags, but they were expelled to Gaza almost immediately.
In 1953, a group of surveyors and designers was sent to the desolate dunes area near the estuary of Lakhish Stream, in order to choose a place to build a new power station in the south of the country (eventually "Eshkol A"). Its workers dwelled in the region settlements - Rehovot and Gedera.
On May 1st, 1956 then finance minister, Levi Eshkol, in the name of the governement, gave confirmation for the establishing of Ashdod city. "Ashdod Company Ltd." was established by the end of that year, a daughter-company of City-Builders Company Ltd. - by Oved Ben-Ami and Philipp Klotznik (USA).
In November 1956 - the first settlers arrived - 22 families of immigrants from Morocco, and a bit later a group of immigrants from Egypt joined them. In July 1957 a concession was given to Ashdod Company Ltd. on an area of 40,000 dunam (40 km²), a distance of 32 km. as the crow flies from Tel Aviv, for the purpose of establishing Ashdod city.
The building of the Eshkol A power station in Ashdod was completed in 1958, and included 3 units: 2 units of 50 MW, and one unit of 45 MW (with the ability of sea water desalination).
The first local council was appointed in October 1959. Dov Gur was appointed on behalf of the Israeli Ministry of Interior to the duty of the first local council head. The Magistrate's Court in the city was inaugurated in 1963, and in January 1965 - a contract between Ashdod Company and the General Health Maintenance Organization was signed regarding establishment of a hospital with 500 beds on an area of 250 dunams (250,000 m²) - a hospital which has never been established.
The building of the port of Ashdod began in April 1961. The port was inaugurated in November 1963, and was run for the first time in November 1965 with the coming of the Swedish ship "Wiengelgad".
The explosive growth of the city began in 1991, with the massive arrival of immigrants from the Soviet Union and infrastructure development.
Economy
Ashdod is an important industrial center. The port of Ashdod is biggest in Israel, carrying about 60% of cargoes. Various shipping companies offices are also located in the port area. Other important industries are Eshkol electrical power station, oil refinery (one of two in the country) & coal terminal. Elta - is a part of Israel Aircraft Industries. The Radars, electronic warfare and ELINT are developed in Elta.
Transportation
For intercity transport, there is Israel Railways railroad station located on the Binyamina/Netanya - Tel Aviv - Ashkelon line.
There is also a central bus station. The lines connecting the city with all main population centers in Israel are served by Connex and the Egged Bus Cooperative.
Other transport options include a passenger pier in the Port of Ashdod and the Blue Marina.
Income
According to the details of the CBS as for December 2001, the city is ranked in medium-low socio-economocial grading (4 of 10). The percentage of eligibles to matriculatulation certificate of the pupils of the twelveth classes in 2000 was 56.1%. The average salary in 2000 was 4,821 shekels (national average: 6,835 shekels).
Mayors
- Robert Hayim was chosen to the council chairmanship in the first municipal elections, in 1961.
- 1963 - Avner Garin
- 1969 - Zvi Zilker
- 1983 - Arye Azulay
- 1989-2006 - Zvi Zilker
Chassidic Rebbes
The Tolna Rebbe, Pittsburgher Rebbe, Neshchiz, and Melitzer Rebbes reside in Ashdod.
Culture and sports
- Soccer - FC Ashdod represents the city in the Israeli Premier League.
- Basketball - Bney Ashdod group represents the city in the 2nd league Liga Leumit
Ashdod Andalusian orchestra is very famous among the listeners of this kind of music.