Nazareth

:This is about the Middle East city of Nazareth. For other uses, see Nazareth (disambiguation).

Modern Nazareth

Nazareth is situated among the southern ridges of the Lebanon Mountains, on the steep slope of a hill, about 14 miles from the Sea of Galilee and about 6 west from Mount Tabor, at an elevation of 1150 feet. The modern city lies lower down upon the hill than the ancient one. The main road for traffic between Egypt and the interior of Asia passed by Nazareth near the foot of Tabor, and thence northward to Damascus. It has a population of 60,000.

Related Topics:
Lebanon Mountains - Sea of Galilee - Mount Tabor - Egypt - Asia - Damascus

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The majority of Nazarenes are Israeli Arabs, about 35-40% of whom are Christians and the rest Muslims. The Israeli government built a new city since the 1950s called Natzrat Illit (נצרת עילית "Upper Nazareth", Standard Hebrew Náẓərat ʿIllit) and populated it with a Jewish majority.

Related Topics:
Christians - Muslims - Natzrat Illit - Standard Hebrew - Jewish

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Public representatives in Nazareth have frequently complained about treatment of the town by the Israeli government, which they ascribe to government prejudice against its Arab population. In recent years, there has also been considerable controversy over plans to build a large mosque beside the Basilica of the Annunciation.

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