- Mayor: Musa Hadid
- Region: Cisjordanie
- Website: www.ramallah.ps
Ramallah, a major city in Palestine, is located 10 km north of Jerusalem. Between 830m and 900m of altitude, the city has a Mediterranean climate. Summer is warm and dry while winter is usually cold and rainy. The Jordanian, Rashed Haddadin, founded the city in the 16th century. Multiple factors, such as the economic migration to Europe and the United States and the exile of thousands of Palestinian from their cities during the Nakba in 1948, contributed to transform the city into a central hub since the end of the 20th century.
Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, the city witnessed fast urban development while becoming the administrative centre of the country. It is also the headquarters of most of the embassies and international organisations. Located in the heart of Palestine, the city is major hub connecting the main cities in West Bank. Cosmopolitan and dynamic, Ramallah has experienced an economic boom for several years thanks to its stability. The economic prosperity of the city attracts numerous investors and contributes to its strong demographic growth.
Various industries have flourished in Ramallah, producing a wide range of goods and services. More than just the economic and political headquarters, Ramallah is also the main cultural city. Various cultural centres animate the city like the Scout Associations that organise multiple music and dance festivals. The city hosts the first Cultural palace in Palestine and a museum dedicated to the famous Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish.
Gastronomy is one of the main aspects of Palestinian culture. Ramallah is full of restaurants, bars and coffee shops that can satisfy every interest and curiosity. The nightlife is also a major characteristic of the city. The city offers various cultural entertainments like the Radannah Park or the Nabd Club, as well as sport facilities and youth centres. The city hosts numerous schools including the famous “Friends Girls School”, the first school for girls in Ramallah, several universities, faculties, and institutes of higher education.
Thanks to its diversity and openness, Ramallah is a mix of different influences that expresses itself at its best during the various international cultural festivals organised every year like “Wein a Ramallah”, the international music festival of city.
Must see
- The old city: its exceptional, traditional architecture and its lovely streets scented with the smell of hummus and falafel unveil the charm of this neighbourhood. It is also the location of several churches and mosques representing the religious diversity and the unity of the city.
- Mukataa and Yasser Arafat Mausoleum: Mukaata is the governmental centre of the Palestinian Authority. Yasser Arafat was locked in this compound for 5 months in 2002 during the Israeli siege. After the death of the political leader, he was buried there where a mausoleum has been built. His tomb is now watched by Palestinian soldiers and can be visited.
- Mahmoud Darwish Museum: the beautiful facility hosts a library, a summer theatre, a garden and a museum dedicated to the great Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. The impressive architecture has a book shape and offer a spectacular view of the city.
- The Garden of Nations: This big park is located in Al-Masyoun neighbourhood. It is a symbol of friendship and solidarity from the nations over the world. The garden is full of sculptures offered by 11 twin cities of Ramallah.
- The archaeological sites are the symbol of a rich history and of the various influences across the time of the region. It is possible to visit the ruins of Kafr Ghamla (Khirbet-Al Tireh) that is the tomb of the first Christian martyr, and the palaces of the villagers scattered on the hills of the city.