Bir Zeit

Bir Zeit

Infobox Palestinian Authority muni
name=Bir Zeit


imgsize=250
caption= Bakery in Bir Zeit
arname=بيرزيت
meaning="Well of [olive] oil"
founded=
type=munc
typefrom=
altOffSp=
altUnoSp=
governorate=rb
latd=31|latm=58|lats=19.57|latNS=N
longd=35 |longm=11|longs=44.20|longEW=E
population=6,600
popyear=2006
area=14,077
areakm=14.0
mayor=Yousef Nasser

Bir Zeit ( _ar. بيرزيت) is a Palestinian town on the outskirts of Ramallah in the central West Bank.

The name Bir Zeit literally translates to "well of oil"; referring to the wells in which its inhabitants historically stored virgin-pressed olive oil. The topology of the town consists of hills and sloping terrains with its highest point known by locals as "al-Khirbeh", or "the ruin". Much of the surrounding land consists of olive trees which historically was a source of sustenance for what was primarily an agrarian society.

Today, Bir Zeit (also written as Birzeit) is a college town known for the flagship of Palestinian institutions, Birzeit University. The population of Birzeit is near 6,600 with much of its economy tied to the student population of the University. Several surrounding villages depend on Birzeit's economy; particularly during the latest round of road closures imposed by Israel. This has led to a business expansion within the town consisting of several restaurants, cafes, internet cafes, and salons.

See also

* Birzeit University
* Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate

External links

* [http://www.birzeitsociety.org/ Birzeit Society] (for Birzeitis)


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bir Zeit — 31° 58′ 20″ N 35° 11′ 44″ E / 31.97210278, 35.19561111 Bir Zeit ou …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bir Zeit — Die Lage von Bir Zait in der West Bank Die nähere Umgebung von Bir Zait Bir Zait (arabisch ‏بير زي …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bir Zeit — Arab town north of Ramallah (Israel) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Université de Bir Zeit — Université de Beir Zeit Panorama du campus (1997) Université de Beir Zeit Nom original …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bir Zeit University — Palestinian university located in the West Bank …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Bir zait — Die Lage von Bir Zait in der West Bank Die nähere Umgebung von Bir Zait Bir Zait (arabisch ‏بير زي …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bīr Zait — Die Lage von Bir Zait in der West Bank Die nähere Umgebung von Bir Zait Bir Zait (arabisch ‏بير زي …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bīr Zayt — Die Lage von Bir Zait in der West Bank Die nähere Umgebung von Bir Zait Bir Zait (arabisch ‏بير زي …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bīr Zēt — Die Lage von Bir Zait in der West Bank Die nähere Umgebung von Bir Zait Bir Zait (arabisch ‏بير زي …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bir Zait — Die Lage von Bir Zait in der West Bank Die nähere U …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”