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West Bank

Population:2.5M
Currency:ILS; JOD
Language:Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood)
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Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

Music and dance are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the West Bank. Folkloric dances, such as the dabke, are performed at weddings, festivals, and other social events. The dabke is a line dance that is usually performed by men and women holding hands and dancing in a circle. Traditional Palestinian music is also popular, with instruments such as the oud, the qanun, and the darbuka used to create rhythmic and melodic compositions.

Artistic expression is an important part of Palestinian culture. Art forms such as calligraphy, embroidery, and pottery have been passed down through generations and are still practiced today. Palestinian embroidery, in particular, is highly valued for its intricate designs and vibrant colors. Many Palestinian artists also use their work to express their political and social views.

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Land of Ancient Springs and Olive Roots

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Greetings in the West Bank are an important part of social interactions and reflect the region's culture and traditions. Here are some common ways that people greet each other in the West Bank:

Salaam Alaykum: This is the most common greeting in the West Bank, and it means "peace be upon you." The response to this greeting is "Wa alaykum salaam," which means "and peace be upon you."

Marhaba: This is another common greeting in the West Bank, and it means "hello." It is a more informal greeting that is often used between friends and acquaintances.

Ahlan wa sahlan: This is an Arabic phrase that means "welcome" or "hello." It is often used to greet guests or visitors.

Sabah al-khair: This is a morning greeting that means "good morning." It is often used in formal settings or with people you don't know very well.

Masa' al-khair: This is an evening greeting that means "good evening." It is also used in formal settings or with people you don't know very well.

In addition to these verbal greetings, it is common in the West Bank to greet someone with a handshake, particularly in formal settings or when meeting someone for the first time. It is also common for people to exchange kisses on the cheeks, particularly among family and close friends.

Muslim Dress:

The majority of people in the West Bank are Muslim, and traditional Muslim dress for men includes loose-fitting pants and a long shirt, while women often wear a long dress or abaya, which covers the entire body except for the hands, feet, and face. Many women also wear a headscarf, or hijab, which covers their hair.

Christian Dress:

Christians in the West Bank tend to dress more similarly to Westerners. Men often wear pants and a shirt, while women wear skirts or dresses, and many do not cover their hair.

Traditional Dress:

Many people in the West Bank also wear traditional Palestinian dress for special occasions, such as weddings and religious festivals. Traditional dress for men includes a thobe, a long robe made of cotton or wool, often embroidered with intricate designs. Women wear a dress called a thobe, which is also embroidered with patterns and designs.

Western Dress:

In urban areas, many people in the West Bank also wear Western-style clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts, and dresses. This is particularly common among younger generations, who often mix traditional and Western styles to create a unique look.

Overall, the dress code in the West Bank is diverse and reflects the region's cultural and religious diversity. While traditional dress is still common for special occasions, many people in the West Bank also wear Western-style clothing in their daily lives.

West Bank Luminary

Family

Family is the cornerstone of society in the West Bank. Family ties are strong, and the extended family is highly valued. It is common for several generations to live together under the same roof, and the family plays a crucial role in providing support and care for its members. Hospitality is also an essential part of the culture, and visitors are always welcomed with warmth and generosity.

Recreation

Popular recreational activities in the West Bank:

Hiking and Trekking: The West Bank is home to several hiking trails, including the Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil trail, which stretches from Jenin in the north to Hebron in the south. The trail takes visitors through picturesque villages, hills, and valleys, offering a unique perspective of the region's natural beauty.

Cultural and Historical Tours: The West Bank is steeped in history, and visitors can take cultural and historical tours to explore the region's rich heritage. Popular sites to visit include the ancient city of Jericho, the historic town of Bethlehem, and the old city of Hebron.

Food and Wine Tours: The West Bank is known for its delicious food and wine, and visitors can take food and wine tours to sample local cuisine and wine varieties. Popular dishes include maqluba, a rice dish with meat and vegetables, and musakhan, a chicken and bread dish.

Shopping: The West Bank is home to several markets and bazaars, where visitors can buy local handicrafts, souvenirs, and other goods. Popular markets include the Old City Market in Nablus and the Bethlehem Market.

Religious Tours: The West Bank is home to several religious sites, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Visitors can take religious tours to explore these sites and learn more about the region's religious heritage.

Sports and Recreation: The West Bank offers a range of sports and recreational activities, including football, basketball, and swimming. There are several sports clubs and facilities throughout the region, including the Al-Faisal Club in Nablus and the Hebron Sports Club.

Dates of Interest

  • Untitled date

How do people greet each other in WestBank?

The most common greeting is "Salaam Alaykum" (peace be upon you), answered with "Wa alaykum salaam." Handshakes are common in formal settings, and cheek kisses are exchanged among family and close friends.

Do

  • Respond to "Salaam Alaykum" with "Wa alaykum salaam"
  • Use "Marhaba" (hello) with friends and acquaintances
  • Say "Ahlan wa sahlan" to welcome guests or visitors
  • Shake hands when meeting someone for the first time

Good to know

  • Use "Sabah al-khair" (good morning) and "Masa' al-khair" (good evening) in formal settings or with people you don't know well
  • Cheek kisses are reserved for family and close friends

What should I wear in WestBank?

Dress is diverse and reflects religious and cultural diversity. Traditional Muslim dress, Christian Western-style dress, and modern Western clothing all coexist, especially among younger generations.

Do

  • Wear traditional Palestinian dress like the embroidered thobe for special occasions such as weddings and festivals
  • Expect Western-style clothing like jeans and t-shirts in urban areas

Good to know

  • Muslim women often wear a long dress or abaya and a hijab covering the hair
  • Christian women tend to dress more like Westerners and many do not cover their hair
  • Younger generations often mix traditional and Western styles

What is family life like in WestBank?

Family is the cornerstone of society, with strong ties and highly valued extended families. Several generations often live together, and hospitality toward visitors is central to the culture.

Good to know

  • Expect to be welcomed with warmth and generosity as a visitor
  • Family provides support and care for its members

What do people do for fun in WestBank?

Popular activities include hiking, cultural, historical and religious tours, food and wine tours, shopping in markets, and sports like football, basketball and swimming.

Do

  • Hike the Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil trail from Jenin to Hebron
  • Visit historic sites like Jericho, Bethlehem, and the old city of Hebron
  • Try local dishes such as maqluba (rice with meat and vegetables) and musakhan (chicken and bread)
  • Shop at markets like the Old City Market in Nablus and the Bethlehem Market

Good to know

  • Religious sites include the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron
  • Sports facilities include the Al-Faisal Club in Nablus and the Hebron Sports Club

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of West Bank

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Currency
new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Climate
temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Airports
3
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Recipes

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Ancient & Medieval

    3000 BCE – 1517

    The land of Canaan and later Palestine served as a crossroads of ancient civilizations, inhabited by Canaanites, Israelites, and later conquered by Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans, and Byzantines. Arab Muslim forces brought Islam to the region in the 7th century CE, establishing a lasting cultural and religious transformation. The Crusader interlude (1099–1187) was ended by Saladin, after which Mamluk sultans governed the region until the Ottoman conquest.

  2. Ottoman Rule

    1517 – 1920

    The Ottoman Empire incorporated Palestine into its administrative structure for four centuries, governing the region as part of the provinces of Syria and later the Vilayet of Beirut and the Sanjak of Jerusalem. The late Ottoman period saw the rise of Arab nationalist sentiment and the beginnings of Zionist immigration, creating early demographic and political tensions. Ottoman defeat in World War I ended this era and opened Palestine to European mandatory control.

  3. British Mandate

    1920 – 1948

    Britain administered Palestine under a League of Nations mandate, having made conflicting promises of a homeland to both Arab and Jewish communities. Accelerating Jewish immigration, encouraged by the Zionist movement, intensified intercommunal violence through the 1930s and 1940s. Unable to resolve competing national claims, Britain handed the question to the United Nations in 1947, which proposed a partition plan that sparked the 1948 war.

  4. Jordanian Administration

    1948 – 1967

    The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, known to Palestinians as the Nakba, resulted in over 700,000 Palestinian refugees and the West Bank coming under Jordanian control, formally annexed in 1949. Jordan extended citizenship to West Bank Palestinians while suppressing independent Palestinian political organization. East Jerusalem, including the Old City and its holy sites, remained under Jordanian administration throughout this period.

  5. Israeli Occupation

    1967 – 1993

    Israel's victory in the June 1967 Six-Day War brought the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip under Israeli military occupation, prompting UN Security Council Resolution 242 calling for Israeli withdrawal. Israel systematically established Jewish settlements on occupied land, displacing additional Palestinian populations. Decades of occupation, land confiscation, and restricted movement culminated in the First Intifada, which began in December 1987 and reshaped international pressure toward a negotiated solution.

  6. Palestinian Authority Era

    1993 – present

    The Oslo Accords, signed on 13 September 1993, established the Palestinian Authority and granted limited self-governance over designated areas of the West Bank and Gaza, with subsequent agreements—including the 1995 Interim Agreement and 1998 Wye River Memorandum—extending PA jurisdiction incrementally. The first Palestinian legislative elections were held in January 1996, and Yasser Arafat served as president until his death in 2004. The Second Intifada (2000–2005), Israel's 2002 siege of Arafat's Ramallah compound, and Gaza's separation under Hamas from 2007 onward have kept final-status negotiations unresolved.

Overview

The area of Palestine and Israel has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia. People such as the Canaanites, the Hebrews/Israelites, Romans, Arabs, Mamluks, Crusaders, Ottomans, and British among others have all had significant histories in the area. Palestinian Muslims, Christians and Jewish Israelis have ties to the land because of their Abrahamic roots and monotheistic faiths.

Islam was brought to the area in the 7th century AD and this area remained under Muslim control except for during the Crusades, until the fall of the Ottoman Empire after WW1.

The British Mandate then controlled Palestine until 1948. During this time the British authority made conflicting offers of a homeland for the Hews and Arabs in Palestine. All the while Jewish immigration to Palestine, which was encouraged by the Zionist movement whose intention was the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, occurred at a steady pace. Subsequently, during the 1930’s tensions rose between the newly arrived immigrants and indigenous Palestinians. Sporadic violence erupted as the competing sides were at odds with one another and with the British authority. In 1947 Great Britain handed the ’question of Palestine’ over to the United Nations after being unable to resolve the issue.

The years of the Second World War brought incredible suffering on the European Jewry in the Holocaust. At this time the world community and the United Nations hoped to alleviate some of that suffering. The United Nations proposed a partition plan in which 56% of historic Palestine was to comprise the Jewish state and 42% was to become a Palestinian state and 2% an international protectorate for the Holy places. The Jewish side accepted the offer while the Palestinians rejected the offer as disproportionate because, as they saw it, they owned and lived on a majority of the land.

In 1948 a war broke our resulting in the establishment of Israel on 77% of historic Palestine. For Palestinians, this event is known as the Nakba (great catastrophe). Over 700,000 Palestinians were made refugees. The West Bank fell under the control of Jordan and the Gaza Strip under Egypt.

In 1967 Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The United Nations passed Security Council Resolution 242 calling for Israel’s withdrawal from territories it had conquered in the 1967 war. Israel began its policy of building Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land. Since 1967 another mass Palestinian refugee problem was created by displacing persons within the West Bank and Gaza Strip and sending refugees to neighboring Arab countries as well as throughout the world.

Year under Israel occupation culminated in the first intifada (uprising) that began in December 1987. By the early 90’s the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank and changing international political dynamics led to the Oslo Peace Process which handed over autonomous areas to Palestinians and provided a framework for final status negotiations of issues such as Palestinian statehood and other outstanding issues.

The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provided that Israel would retain responsibility during the transitional period for external and internal security and for public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank began in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but were derailed by a second intifada that broke out in September 2000. In April 2003 the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement has been postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides have not followed through on their commitments. Longtime Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT died in November 2004 and Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA President in January 2005, bringing hope of a turning p

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1949

    The West Bank was declared part of Jordanian territory.

    The West Bank was declared part of Jordanian territory after Israel and Jordan signed armistice agreements in 1949.

  2. 1993

    Negotiations in Norway culminate in the signing of the Declaration of Principles.

    Negotiations in Norway culminate in the signing of the Declaration of Principles between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The Palestinians consent to recognizing Israel. In return, Israel would gradually dismantle its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and transfer authority to an interim Palestinian Authority (PA), initiated by a 1994 agreement.

  3. 1996

    The country’s first national elections.

    In the country’s first national elections, Palestinians elect Yasser Arafat as the PA’s chairman as well as members of the Palestinian Authority legislative body, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

  4. 1998

    Under the Wye River Memorandum, Israel agrees to further withdrawals from the West Bank.

    Under the Wye River Memorandum, Israel agrees to further withdrawals from the West Bank.

  5. 2002

    Israeli forces besiege Yasser Arafat’s Ramallah compound.

    Israeli forces besiege Yasser Arafat’s Ramallah compound and reoccupy almost all of the West Bank. Arafat signs the Palestinian Authority Basic Law, which provides the legal foundation for the PA.

  6. 2004

    The PA holds municipal elections in 26 West Bank localities.

    The PA holds municipal elections in 26 West Bank localities for the first time in almost three decades.

  7. 2005

    Israel evacuates its settlers and withdraws troops from Gaza.

    Israel evacuates its settlers and withdraws troops from Gaza, ending almost 40 years of military occupation.

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Interesting Facts

  • Prior to the First World War, the area now known as the West Bank was under Ottoman rule as part of the province of Syria.

  • The region did not have a separate existence until 1948–1949, when it was defined by the Armistice Agreement of April 1949 between Israel and Jordan (until then known as Transjordan).

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Geography and Environment

Terrain
mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east
Climate
temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Natural Hazards
droughts
Current Environmental Issues
adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood)

  • Arabic
  • Hebrew

Population

Population
2,514,845
Nationality Noun
NA
Ethnic Groups
Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Language Note
Arabic is the most commonly spoken language in the West Bank, and it is the official language of the Palestinian Authority. Most Palestinians in the West Bank speak Palestinian Arabic, which is a dialect of Arabic that has evolved over centuries and has its own unique vocabulary and grammar. In addition to Arabic, many Palestinians in the West Bank also speak Hebrew, which is the official language of Israel. Hebrew is taught in Palestinian schools as a second language, and many Palestinians who work or interact with Israelis are fluent in Hebrew. English is also widely spoken in the West Bank, particularly in urban areas and among younger generations. English is taught as a second language in Palestinian schools, and many Palestinians who work in international organizations or do business with foreigners are proficient in English. Other languages that are spoken by smaller segments of the population include French, Spanish, and Russian, among others. However, Arabic remains the dominant language in the West Bank, and proficiency in Arabic is essential for communication with the local population.

Education

Literacy Definition
NA
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
WestBank

Government Structure

Executive Branch
The executive branch of the West Bank operates under the framework established by the Oslo Accords of the 1990s, which created the Palestinian Authority (PA) as the governing body for Palestinian-administered territories. The political structure is complex, reflecting the unresolved status of the West Bank as a territory under Israeli military occupation while simultaneously being subject to Palestinian self-governance in designated areas. The President of the Palestinian Authority serves as the head of state and exercises significant executive authority. Mahmoud Abbas, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mazen, has held the presidency since January 2005, following the death of Yasser Arafat. Abbas leads Fatah, the dominant secular nationalist movement within Palestinian politics. His presidential term officially expired in 2009, but elections have been repeatedly delayed due to political divisions, legal disputes, and security concerns, leaving his continued tenure a subject of ongoing controversy. The Prime Minister serves as head of government and is responsible for managing day-to-day administrative functions. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and oversees the Council of Ministers, which acts as the cabinet and coordinates policy across various governmental portfolios including finance, education, health, and infrastructure. Executive authority in the West Bank is further complicated by the political split between Fatah, which controls the PA in the West Bank, and Hamas, which seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. This division has prevented unified Palestinian governance and stalled efforts toward reconciliation. Various unity agreement attempts between the two factions have largely failed to produce a lasting, functioning joint administration. The Palestinian Authority's executive power is also constrained in practice by the presence of Israeli military and civil administration, particularly in Area C, which comprises approximately 60 percent of the West Bank and remains under full Israeli control. This limits the PA's effective territorial jurisdiction primarily to Areas A and B, where it exercises varying degrees of civil and security authority.
Independence
Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
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Economy

The economy of the West Bank has been shaped for decades by political instability, restricted movement, and dependence on Israel and international donor support. Real per capita GDP for the West Bank and Gaza Strip declined sharply during the 1990s due to falling aggregate incomes and rapid population growth, with downturns largely driven by Israeli closure policies imposed in response to security incidents. Unemployment, which had been under 5% during the 1980s, rose above 20% by the mid-1990s and has remained elevated ever since.

A brief recovery in 1998–1999 was reversed by the outbreak of the Second Intifada in late 2000, which triggered tight Israeli restrictions on Palestinian areas and severely disrupted trade and labor flows. Israeli military operations in 2001–2002 destroyed significant capital infrastructure and administrative capacity, and only substantial international aid prevented a complete economic collapse.

In the years that followed, the West Bank economy performed somewhat better than Gaza, benefiting from relative stability, Palestinian Authority institutional reforms, and donor inflows. Between 2007 and 2013, the West Bank experienced moderate growth, with real GDP expanding at rates of 5–8% annually in some years. However, growth slowed considerably in the second half of the 2010s due to declining donor support, persistent restrictions on movement, access, and trade, limited Palestinian control over Area C (which comprises about 60% of the West Bank), and ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements.

The economy contracted sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, before rebounding in 2021 and 2022. Conditions deteriorated dramatically following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Israel suspended work permits for tens of thousands of Palestinian laborers, withheld portions of the clearance revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, and intensified movement restrictions across the West Bank. As a result, the West Bank economy contracted by an estimated 19% in 2024, unemployment surged to roughly 35%, and poverty rates rose significantly. The Palestinian Authority faces a severe fiscal crisis, and the World Bank and IMF have warned that the Palestinian economy is at risk of collapse without major donor intervention and a restoration of clearance revenue transfers.

Key structural challenges include limited access to natural resources and agricultural land, weak industrial capacity, high dependence on Israeli markets and labor opportunities, and a fragmented territory that constrains private sector development. Services, construction, and public administration dominate economic output, while the manufacturing and agricultural sectors remain underdeveloped.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
ILS; JOD
GDP Real Growth Rate
6.2%

Banknotes

West Bank Money - Front
West Bank Money - Front
West Bank Money - Back
West Bank Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$1,340,000,000 (USD)
Economic Aid
$2,000,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
services 66%; industry 21%; agriculture 13%
Industries
generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers
Agriculture Products
olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Export Commodities
olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Export Partners
Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip
Import Commodities
food, consumer goods, construction materials
Import Partners
Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
0 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: continuing political and economic instability has impeded significant liberalization of the telecommunications industry domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; PALTEL plans to establish a fiber-optic connection to Jordan to route domestic mobile calls; the Palestinian JAWWAL company and WATANIYA PALESTINE provide cellular services international: country code - 970; 1 international switch in Ramallah
Internet Country Code
N/A

News & Weather

Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of West Bank?
The population of West Bank is approximately 2.5M.
How do people greet each other in WestBank?
The most common greeting is "Salaam Alaykum" (peace be upon you), answered with "Wa alaykum salaam." Handshakes are common in formal settings, and cheek kisses are exchanged among family and close friends. Do: Respond to "Salaam Alaykum" with "Wa alaykum salaam" Use "Marhaba" (hello) with friends and acquaintances Say "Ahlan wa sahlan" to welcome guests or visitors Shake hands when meeting someone for the first time Use "Sabah al-khair" (good morning) and "Masa' al-khair" (good evening) in formal settings or with people you don't know well Cheek kisses are reserved for family and close friends
What should I wear in WestBank?
Dress is diverse and reflects religious and cultural diversity. Traditional Muslim dress, Christian Western-style dress, and modern Western clothing all coexist, especially among younger generations. Do: Wear traditional Palestinian dress like the embroidered thobe for special occasions such as weddings and festivals Expect Western-style clothing like jeans and t-shirts in urban areas Muslim women often wear a long dress or abaya and a hijab covering the hair Christian women tend to dress more like Westerners and many do not cover their hair Younger generations often mix traditional and Western styles
What is family life like in WestBank?
Family is the cornerstone of society, with strong ties and highly valued extended families. Several generations often live together, and hospitality toward visitors is central to the culture. Expect to be welcomed with warmth and generosity as a visitor Family provides support and care for its members
What do people do for fun in WestBank?
Popular activities include hiking, cultural, historical and religious tours, food and wine tours, shopping in markets, and sports like football, basketball and swimming. Do: Hike the Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil trail from Jenin to Hebron Visit historic sites like Jericho, Bethlehem, and the old city of Hebron Try local dishes such as maqluba (rice with meat and vegetables) and musakhan (chicken and bread) Shop at markets like the Old City Market in Nablus and the Bethlehem Market Religious sites include the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron Sports facilities include the Al-Faisal Club in Nablus and the Hebron Sports Club
What is the administrative center of the West Bank?
Ramallah serves as the de facto administrative capital and headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, the interim self-governing body established under the 1993 Oslo Accords. While not formally designated a capital in a sovereign sense, Ramallah hosts the Palestinian Legislative Council and most government ministries. The city of Jericho, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements, was among the first areas transferred to Palestinian Authority control under the 1994 Cairo Agreement.
Where is the West Bank located?
The West Bank is a landlocked territory situated in the Middle East, on the western bank of the Jordan River. It lies between Israel to the west and Jordan to the east, occupying a central position in the historical region of the Levant. The territory sits inland, with no coastline, and its terrain ranges from the highlands of the central ridge to the Jordan Rift Valley in the east, which lies well below sea level.
What countries or territories border the West Bank?
The West Bank shares its western, northern, and southern boundaries with Israel and its eastern boundary with Jordan, separated by the Jordan River. The territory came to be defined as a distinct geographic and political unit through the Armistice Agreement of April 1949 between Israel and Transjordan. Prior to the First World War, the area formed part of the Ottoman province of Syria, with no separate administrative existence of its own.
What religion is practiced in the West Bank?
Islam, predominantly of the Sunni tradition, is the religion of the majority of the population, accounting for roughly 75 percent of residents. Jewish residents, primarily Israeli settlers living in Israeli-administered settlements, constitute approximately 17 percent. Christianity and other faiths make up the remaining roughly 8 percent, with Christian communities concentrated in cities such as Bethlehem and Ramallah, areas that hold significant biblical and historical importance.
What currency is used in the West Bank?
Two currencies circulate in the West Bank: the ILS (Israeli New Shekel), which is the dominant medium of exchange in most commercial transactions, and the JOD (Jordanian Dinar), which remains in use particularly in parts of the territory with historic ties to Jordan. The Palestinian Authority does not issue its own currency, a reflection of the territory's unresolved political status. The Israeli shekel is the most widely accepted currency for everyday purchases.
What language is spoken in the West Bank?
Arabic is the primary language spoken by the Palestinian population and serves as the official language of the Palestinian Authority. Hebrew is spoken by Israeli settlers and is widely understood among many Palestinians who work within Israel or Israeli-administered areas. English is broadly understood in urban centers and business contexts. The linguistic landscape reflects the territory's layered administrative and demographic reality.
What is the West Bank known for?
The West Bank is known for the extraordinary density of its historical and religious landmarks, including Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus; Jericho, regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth; and Hebron, home to the Cave of Machpelah, sacred to both Judaism and Islam. The territory is also recognized for its olive oil production, embroidery craft traditions (known as tatreez), and as the geographical core of ongoing Israeli-Palestinian political negotiations that have shaped modern Middle Eastern diplomacy.
What is the historical origin of the West Bank as a defined territory?
The West Bank did not exist as a distinct political or geographic entity until 1948–1949, when the Armistice Agreement of April 1949 between Israel and Jordan formally delineated it as a separate territory. Jordan administered the area from 1948 until 1967, when Israel gained control following the Six-Day War. Before the First World War, the region was governed as part of the Ottoman province of Syria, with no separate administrative identity of its own.

Last reviewed 2026

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