PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES in Perspective TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY......................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 Geographic Divisions .............................................................................................................. 2 Mediterranean Coastal Plain ............................................................................................. 2 Judaean Hills and Samarian Highlands ............................................................................ 2 Jordan River Valley .......................................................................................................... 2 Rivers/Bodies of Water ............................................................................................................ 2 Mediterranean Sea ............................................................................................................ 2 Dead Sea ........................................................................................................................... 3 Jordan River ...................................................................................................................... 4 Aquifers ............................................................................................................................ 4 Principal Cities ......................................................................................................................... 4 Gaza City .......................................................................................................................... 4 Khan Yunis ....................................................................................................................... 5 Jabaliya ............................................................................................................................. 6 Hebron .............................................................................................................................. 7 Rafah ................................................................................................................................. 7 Nablus ............................................................................................................................... 8 Ramallah ........................................................................................................................... 9 Bethlehem ......................................................................................................................... 9 Refugee Camps ...................................................................................................................... 10 Environmental Concerns and Natural Hazards ...................................................................... 15 Chapter 1 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 16 CHAPTER 2: HISTORY .............................................................................................................. 17 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 17 Ancient ................................................................................................................................... 17 Introduction of Islam ............................................................................................................. 18 Crusades ................................................................................................................................. 19 Early Modern Period .............................................................................................................. 19 Modern Period ....................................................................................................................... 20 20th Century .......................................................................................................................... 21 British Occupation .......................................................................................................... 22 Great Arab Revolt ........................................................................................................... 23 World War II .................................................................................................................. 24 The Arab-Israeli War ...................................................................................................... 25 Expansion of Israel ......................................................................................................... 25 The Six-Day War and Its Aftermath .............................................................................. 27 Yom Kippur War and Its Aftermath ............................................................................... 28 Lebanese Civil War ........................................................................................................ 28 © DLIFLC | i PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES in Perspective Sabra and Shatila Massacres and Israeli Withdrawal ..................................................... 29 Intifada and Oslo ............................................................................................................ 29 Recent Events ........................................................................................................................ 30 After Arafat .................................................................................................................... 30 Palestinian Infighting ...................................................................................................... 31 Movement Toward a Two-State Solution ...................................................................... 31 Chapter 2 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 33 CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY ........................................................................................................... 34 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 34 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................. 35 Industry .................................................................................................................................. 36 Services .................................................................................................................................. 36 Energy and Natural Resources ............................................................................................... 37 Trade, Banking, and Finance ................................................................................................. 37 Palestine Monetary Authority ......................................................................................... 38 Standard of Living and Unemployment ................................................................................ 39 Outlook .................................................................................................................................. 40 Chapter 3 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 41 CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY .............................................................................................................. 42 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 42 Religion, Ethno-religious Groups, and Languages ................................................................ 42 Islam and Palestinian Muslims ....................................................................................... 42 Christianity and Palestinian Christians ........................................................................... 43 Judaism and Jewish Settlers ........................................................................................... 44 Cuisine ................................................................................................................................... 45 Traditional Dress ................................................................................................................... 46 Gender Issues ......................................................................................................................... 47 Arts ........................................................................................................................................ 47 Literature ........................................................................................................................ 47 Music and Dance ............................................................................................................ 48 Instruments ..................................................................................................................... 49 Sports and Recreation ............................................................................................................ 49 Chapter 4 Assessment ...........................................................................................................