Jerusalem

Jerusalem ({{coor dm|31|46|N|35|14|E|}}; Hebrew: {{Audio|He-Jerusalem.ogg|יְרוּשָׁלַיִם }}; Yerushalayim; Arabic: {{Audio|ArAlquds.ogg|??????}} al-Quds; see also names of Jerusalem) is an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is the capital of the State of Israel.

Related Topics:
Hebrew - Arabic - Names of Jerusalem - Middle East - Religion - Judaism - Christianity - Islam

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With a population of 704,900 (as of December 31, 2004 http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2004/tab_3.pdf), it is a richly heterogeneous city, representing a wide range of national, religious, and socioeconomic groups. The section called the "Old City" is surrounded by walls and consists of four quarters: Jewish, Christian, Armenian, and Muslim.

Related Topics:
December 31 - 2004 - Heterogeneous - Jew - Christian - Armenian - Muslim

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The status of the city is hotly disputed. The 1949 cease-fire line between Israel and Jordan, also known as the Green Line, cuts through the city. Since its victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel has controlled the entire city and claims sovereignty over it. According to one of the Basic Laws of Israel, the Jerusalem Law, Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel, and is the center of Jerusalem District; it serves as the country's seat of government and otherwise functions as capital. Many countries do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over some or all of the city, and enforce this view by maintaining their embassies in Tel Aviv, or in the suburbs.

Related Topics:
1949 cease-fire line - Israel - Jordan - Green Line - 1967 - Six-Day War - Basic Laws of Israel - Jerusalem Law - State of Israel - Jerusalem District - Tel Aviv - Suburb

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Palestinians also claim all or part of Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Related Topics:
Palestinian - Palestinian state

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