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 District 2. District 3. Tulkarm District 4. District 5. Tubas District 6. 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 District % Area (km²) 26.4 583 Tubas 18.2 402 Tulkarem 11.2 246 Nablus 27.4 605 7.5 166 9.3 204 Total Source: PCBS 100 2206
Figure (1): Area of Northern Districts Compared with Other Districts Area of Northern Districts and Other Districts 3449 Other Districts 2206 Northern Districts 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Figure (2): Areas of Northern Districts (km²) Areas of Northern Districts 605 583 700 600 402 500 400 204 166 246 300 200 100 Nablus Tulkarem Tubas 0
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,,, 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. 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) District August January Annual Average 27 12 20 Tulkarm & 26 13 21 Nablus & 24 9 17 Tubas 30 14 24 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) District Annual Average 500 Tubas 400 Tulkarm 550 Nablus 650 550 600
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 District Nablus Tulkarm Tubas Total Population 320830 157988 256619 50261 91217 59570 936485 Figure (3): Population Distribution, 59570, 91217 Tubas, 50261 Nablus, 320830, 256619 Tulkarem, 157988
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 District Tubas Tulkarm Nablus %of District Registered Refugees Population 31.2 80000 14.5 7300 32.3 51000 25.2 81000 42.2 38500 7.8 4650 262450 or 28% of districts population Figure (4): Percentage of Registered Refugees and Citizens 100% 80% Citizens Registered Refugees 60% 40% 20% Tubas Tulkarem Nablus 0%
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 District has the largest number of localities, and Nablus comes second. Table (6): Number of Localities for Each District District Number of Localities 80 Tubas 21 Tulkarm 36 Nablus 63 34 20 Total 254 Figure (5): Number of Localities for Each District 80 80 63 70 60 34 36 50 40 20 21 30 20 10 Nablus Tulkarem Tubas 0
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 District Tubas Tulkarm Nablus Total Population Over 10 Years 91613 17217 57989 115937 32334 21330 336420 Illiterate 2131 545 1258 2558 809 604 7905 % of Illiteracy 2.33 3.17 2.17 2.2 2.5 2.83 2.35 Figure (6): Percentage of Literate and Illiterate over 10 Years of Age 100% 90% 80% 70% Literate Illiterate 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Nablus Tulkarem Tubas 0% 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 District Houses of Districts Houses Connected Percentage of with the Three Networks Connected Houses 46541 7790 16.7 Tubas 8628 279 3.2 Tulkarm 29708 12200 41.1 Nablus 58750 31439 53.5 16000 16000 49.1 10958 10958 11.7 Total 170585 60836 or 35.7% of total houses
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.
3. Expansion of urban areas on the expense of agricultural land. This problem is clear in Marj Ben Amer, northern 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, Tulkarm, and 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 District Tubas Tulkarm Nablus Total Labor in all sectors 46848 9568 29758 63854 16944 11054 178026 Labor in agriculture Percentage of labor in agriculture (%) 5834 12.5 3121 32.6 3717 12.5 3015 4.7 1718 10.1 477 4.3 17882 or 10% of labor in all sectors Figure (7): Percentage of Labor in Agriculture from the Total Labor Force 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 % Nablus Tulkarem Tubas 0
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 District Tubas Tulkarm Nablus Total District Area (km²) 583 402 246 605 166 204 2206 Agricultural Land (km²) Percentage of Agricultural Land 368.27 63.2 85.173 21.2 150.903 61.3 240.629 39.8 67.078 40.4 85.638 42.0 997.691 km² or 45.2% of districts area Map 9 compares between agricultural and non-agricultural lands in northern districts. It is clear from the map that 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.