Brief Description of Northern the West Bank, Palestine

Prepared by:

Dr. Ahmed Ghodieh

Department of Geography

An-Najah National University

Nablus, Palestine

Brief Description of Northern the West Bank

1. Introduction

Northern the West Bank consists of six districts out of eleven representing the West Bank according to The Palestinian Authority administrative division. These districts are:1. Nablus District2. Jenin District3. Tulkarm District4. Qalqilia District5. Tubas District6. Salfit District

Map (1): Districts of the West Bank

2. Location and Area

The northern region of the West Bank occupies a strategic location,

because it lies in the middle of four different regions and links them

together. This region connects the Coastal Plains in the west with the

Jordan Valley in the east, and passengers from and to these two regions

must pass through northern the West Bank region. This situation creates

strong population and economic connectivity among these areas.

Northern the West Bank region also connects Marj Ben Amer and

Galilee Mountains regions in the north with Jerusalem and Hebron

regions in the south.

Area of this region represents 39% of the total area of the West Bank

(area of the Dead Sea in the West Bank is not considered). The area of

the region is distributed as follows:

Table (1): Area of Northern West Bank Districts

Area (km²)% District

58326.4Jenin

40218.2Tubas

24611.2Tulkarem

60527.4Nablus

1667.5Qalqilia

2049.3Salfit

2206100Total

Source: PCBS

Figure (1): Area of Northern Districts Compared with Other Districts

2206

3449

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Northern DistrictsOther Districts

Area of Northern Districts and Other Districts

Figure (2): Areas of Northern Districts (km²)

385

204

642

506

661402

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001

002

003

004

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006

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3. Physical Characteristics of the Northern West Bank

3.1Topography

The West Bank, including the northern districts, is characterized by its

topographic variations. It includes mountains, hills, plains, and valleys

within a small area and short distances. These topographic variations

added more beauty to its landscape: moving few kilometers through the

area enables seeing all these topographic landforms. Topographic

variations resulted in clear climatic variation between high and low lands.

High lands in the West Bank attract people and tourists in summer, while

low lands attract them in winter. On the other hand, topographic

variations resulted in vegetation diversity.

The dominant topographic features in northern the West Bank are

mountains: Eibal (940m) and Jerzim (881m) mountains surround and

overlook the city of Nablus from north and south. They also overlook the

coastal plains and the Mediterranean Sea in the west, Marj Ben Amer in

the north, the Jordan Valley in the east, and a large part of the southern

mountains.

Nablus mountains descend gently towards Tulkarm, Qalqilia, Jenin, and

Marj Ben Amer, while they descend steeply towards the Jordan Valley.

Map 2 shows the topographic characteristics of the West Bank including

the north. The following notes can be recorded on the map:

1. Highlands are concentrated in the middle part of the West Bank, and

extend from north to south.

2. Fertile depressions and plains exist among mountains, such as Sahel

Huwwara, Sahel Buqai’a, Sahel Sanour, Sahel Arraba, Sahel Qabatya,

Sahel Zababda, Sahel Marj Ben Amer, Sahel Sha’rawiya near

Tulkarem, and Sahel Qalqilia. These plains and depressions are

considered to be the best agricultural lands in the West Bank, in

addition to Jericho.

Map (2): Topography of the West Bank

Source: Arij

3.2. Soil

Soil, in general, is affected by a number of factors: Firstly, geology of the

area, where limestone is dominant and exposed to continuous

development and changes. Secondly, topography of the region, where

steep flanks are exposed to severe water and wind soil erosion, which

causes reduction of soil fertility and spread of desertification. This

situation requires a comprehensive plan for land reclamation. Vegetation

contour line in the West Bank is becoming lower, and the upper

mountains flanks became out of vegetation. Thirdly, climate has a strong

effect on soil, for example, the good rainfall average on the western

flanks of Nablus mountains enriched soil with iron oxide, while soil of

the eastern flanks remained poor because of the low rainfall average. Soil

of intermediate plains and depressions is the most fertile soil in the West

Bank. Map 3 shows soil fertility in northern the West Bank.

Map (3): Soil Fertility of the Northern Region

3.2. Climate

Most area of northern the West Bank lies within the Mediterranean climate,

which is characterized by its moderate temperatures and plenty of rainfall.

Only Tubas District lies within the semi arid climate on the eastern slopes

away from marine effects. The annual temperature average is between 17ºC

and 23ºC. Table 2 shows the maximum and the minimum temperature in

August and January.

Table (2): Temperature of the Northern Districts (Cº)

Annual

Average

JanuaryAugustDistrict

201227Jenin

211326Tulkarm &

Qalqilia

17924Nablus &

Salfit

241430Tubas

Rainfall of the region is not regular and fluctuates from year to year, because

Palestine lies between two climatic regions: the humid Mediterranean in the

west and the arid desert climate in the south. For example, Nablus received

more than 1300 mm of rain in 1991, and this amount represents double the

annual average. On other hand, Nablus received only 460 mm of rain in

2007, and this amount represents only 65% of the annual average. These

fluctuations seriously affect agricultural production. Table 3 shows the

annual rainfall average.

Table (3): Rainfall Annual Average (mm)

Annual AverageDistrict500Jenin400Tubas550Tulkarm650Nablus550Qalqilia600Salfit

Map (4): Annual Average of Rainfall

4. Population

According to the Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics, the total

population of the West Bank for the year 2007 is 2350583. Population of

the northern districts for the same year is 936485 or 39.88% of the West

Bank population. Males represent 103.1 percent of females, and the

family average size is 5.5. Table 4 shows population distribution in

northern districts.

Table (4): Population Distribution

PopulationDistrict320830Nablus157988Tulkarm256619Jenin 50261Tubas91217Qalqilia59570Salfit936485Total

Figure (3): Population Distribution

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Map (5): Population Distribution

Map 6 shows that 39.24% of the total population of northern districts is

under 15 years old, 3.65% are over 65 years, and 57.11% are between 15

and 64 years old. The last category is responsible for economy of the

northern region.

Map (6): Population Age Categories

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, more than

262450 or 28% of the population are registered refugees. Those refugees

were forced to leave their lands and houses in 1949 war. Table 5 shows

registered refugees in the northern districts.

Table (5): Registered Refugees for the Year 2007

Registered Refugees% of District

Population

District

8000031.2Jenin

730014.5Tubas

5100032.3Tulkarm

8100025.2Nablus

3850042.2Qalqilia

46507.8Salfit

262450 or 28% of districts’ population

Figure (4): Percentage of Registered Refugees and Citizens

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The northern districts include 254 localities (cities, villages, and refugee

camps) or 39.2% of the total number of localities of the West Bank. Table 8

shows that Jenin District has the largest number of localities, and Nablus

comes second.

Table (6): Number of Localities for Each District

Number of LocalitiesDistrict

80Jenin

21Tubas

36Tulkarm

63Nablus

34Qalqilia

20Salfit

254Total

Figure (5): Number of Localities for Each District

08

12

63

36

43

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02

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07

08

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Education: statistics of the PCBS for the year 2007 show that percent

of illiteracy (people over 10 years old who can’t read and write) for the West

Bank was 2.79%, and 2.35% for northern the West Bank. This proves that

education situation in the north is better than that of the other regions. Table

7 shows illiteracy percentage in the northern districts.

Table (7): Illiteracy Percentage of the Population over 10 years Age

% of Illiteracy IlliteratePopulation Over 10 YearsDistrict2.33213191613Jenin3.1754517217Tubas2.17125857989Tulkarm2.22558115937Nablus2.580932334Qalqilia2.8360421330Salfit2.357905336420Total

Figure (6): Percentage of Literate and Illiterate over 10 Years of Age

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

JeninTubasTulkaremNablusQalqiliaSalfit

Literate

Illiterate

Thousands of well qualified people of northern the West Bank had

jobs in the Gulf States before 1990, and helped their families. But after that

date, they were forced to return back to their homes. This situation increased

the unemployment rate and poverty levels. Nowadays, and after the

construction of the segregation wall, the economic conditions have got

worse.

Water, electricity, and sewage networks: The PCBS data of 2007

show that 33.7% of the houses in the West Bank are connected with the

three networks, and 66.3% are connected with one network or two or they

are not connected at all. These statistics also show that 35.7% of houses of

northern the West Bank are connected with the three networks, and 64.3%

are not connected with one network or more. It is important to notice that if

cities are excluded from the connected houses category, percentage of

houses which are not connected with these networks will be doubled.

Table (8): Houses Connected with Water, Electricity, and Sewage Networks

Percentage of

Connected Houses

Houses Connected

with the Three

Networks

Houses of DistrictsDistrict

16.7779046541Jenin

3.22798628Tubas

41.11220029708Tulkarm

53.53143958750Nablus

49.11600016000Qalqilia

11.71095810958Salfit

60836 or 35.7% of total houses170585Total

Map (7): Houses Connected with Water, Electricity, and Sewage

Networks

Agriculture: Since Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip

in 1967, this sector has been deteriorating. In 1970s, 37% of the labor force

worked in agriculture. This percentage declined to become only 6.4% in

2007. In northern the West Bank, percentage of labor in agriculture is 10%,

and so it is higher than percentage in other regions. This is due to the fact

that agricultural land is concentrated in this region.

The main agricultural crops in northern the West Bank are: Olive

trees, Citrus trees, Vegetables, and Cereal crops. About 25% of agricultural

land is given to olives, because this tree is a major source of food for all

Palestinian families. Also, olive oil is used in soup manufacturing in Nablus

city. Deterioration of agriculture in the West Bank is due to:

1. After 1967, Israel allowed thousands of Palestinians to work

in Israel and gave them high salaries. This encouraged the

Palestinian farmers to abandon their lands and work in

Israel. But after the Intifada of 1987, Israel forced the

Palestinian workers to leave their work in Israel, so those

workers returned to cultivate their lands. At this time, Israel

stopped importing any of the Palestinian agricultural

production.

2. In 1986 Jordan put an end to its administrative relationships

with the West Bank, and so, stopped importing the

Palestinian agricultural production, mainly olive oil, citrus,

and watermelon. This new situation forced farmers to get rid

of large areas of olive and citrus trees to be planted with

vegetables. Also, watermelon crop disappeared from farms,

especially farms of Jenin.

3. Expansion of urban areas on the expense of agricultural

land. This problem is clear in Marj Ben Amer, northern

Jenin city, where buildings covered large areas of the plain.

4. Destruction of large agricultural areas during the Israeli

frequent incursions of Palestinian lands in 2002.

5. Israeli segregation wall which is being constructed since

2002. This wall resulted in isolating many Palestinian

localities from their lands, especially in Jenin, Tulkarm,

Qalqilia and Salfit Districts. Also, tens of wells became

between the wall and the cease fire line of 1949 (the green

line). Map 8 shows part of the passage of the wall.

Map (8): Part of the Israeli Segregation Wall and the Cease Fire Line,

a Satellite Image

Table (8): Percentage of Labor in Agriculture

Percentage of labor in

agriculture (%)

Labor in agricultureLabor in all sectorsDistrict

12.5583446848Jenin

32.631219568Tubas

12.5371729758Tulkarm

4.7301563854Nablus

10.1171816944Qalqilia

4.347711054Salfit

17882 or 10% of labor in all sectors178026Total

Figure (7): Percentage of Labor in Agriculture from the Total Labor Force

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5

01

51

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03

53

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%

Area of agricultural land in the West Bank is about 1662 km² or 29.4% of its

total area. In northern the West Bank, agricultural land represents about 45%

of its total area or 998 km². This proves that agricultural land is concentrated

in the northern part of the West Bank.

Table (9): Area of Agricultural Land

Percentage of Agricultural Land

Agricultural Land (km²)

District Area (km²)District

63.2368.27583Jenin

21.285.173402Tubas

61.3150.903246Tulkarm

39.8240.629605Nablus

40.467.078166Qalqilia

42.085.638204Salfit

997.691 km² or 45.2% of districts’ area 2206Total

Map 9 compares between agricultural and non-agricultural lands in northern

districts. It is clear from the map that Jenin and Tulkarm districts include

higher percentages of agricultural land, while Tubas includes smaller

agricultural land.

Map (9): Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Land

Industry: This sector is limited to a number of traditional industries, so, it

needs to be developed. Some of these industries are:

1. Food and agricultural industry

2. Soup factories in Nablus city

3. Wood and furniture

4. Stone cutting

5. Tourism industry

Tourism: This sector in northern the West Bank is paralyzed by Israeli

measures, mainly military road blocks, settlements, and bypass roads.

Northern the West Bank possesses all qualifications to become a successful

area for tourism. It is rich in religious and holy places, in addition to

historical and archaeological sites constructed by previous successive

civilizations. The beautiful natural and diverse landscape of the region is

another attractive factor. Tourism components of the north can be

summarized as follows:

1. Natural Attractive Elements: Topography and landforms of northern

the West Bank represent attractive tourism elements. The region

includes high mountains overlooking large areas of the Palestinian

coastal plains and valleys. Fertile plains and topographic hollows exist

among those mountains, such as Sahel Sanour, Arraba, Marj Ben

Amer, Sha’rawiyya,...etc. In Spring the area is covered by different

types of flowers and natural vegetation. Bathan wadi near Nablus

represents a good tourism site for the region and for Nablus city in

particular. Some people are used to visit this site in the weekends. But

Bathan wadi suffers lack of tourism services, and needs to be

developed. Many sites in the north can be developed and invested

economically. Climate of the region is another attractive element that

tourists can find moderate places in both summer and winter.

2. Historical sites spread all over the region. The Roman Sabastiya is a

good example of those sites, which can be developed and provided

with services, such as the construction of hotels, restaurants, markets,

…etc. Shakim or Tal Balata, the Roman Theatre, the Old City of

Nablus, Turkish Paths, and Tal Sofar are other examples.

3. Religious places such as historical Mosques represent attractive

architecture. Important and historical churches also exist in the region

and need to be developed.