Tel Aviv

INTRO
Spread alongside the Mediterranean coastline, less than a century old, Tel Aviv cannot compete with Jerusalem and its 3 millennia of History. And it is not even trying - Tel Aviv is all about business, finance and modern lifestyle - a stunning cosmopolitan metropolis that leaves no one nonchalant to its glittery high-rise buildings, busy streets and peerless nightlife. The official name of Israel's main city (but not a capital) is Tel Aviv-Yafo - a reflection of the fact that the modern city has grown beside (and gradually absorbed) the ancient Arabic port town of Yafo. Tel Aviv is know as "the city that does not stop" - during summer you can often see the beach promenade full of people in 4 am, clubs and bars are open until the morning, thus giving the city the reputation of a party town.

City Profile
City: Tel Aviv
Country: Israel
Area: 50,6 km2
Population: 382, 500
Districts: 8
Mayor: Ron Huldai
Language: Hebrew, English
Rating:

LOCATION
Tel Aviv is located on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain - on land which used to be sand dunes. The city is located 60 km northwest of Jerusalem - the capital of Israel, and 90 km south of Haifa - a major northern port city. Tel Aviv is the main city of the most populous metropolitan area in Israel - Gush Dan.

TIME TO VISIT
When planning a visit to Tel Aviv, you probably will want to avoid the major Jewish religious holidays - as the whole country fills with pilgrims, it is almost impossible to travel in and around the city, and prices for accommodation are quite often double the normal rates. Weather-wise, the best time to visit Tel Aviv is in spring (April and May) and in autumn (September and October). November and March might be also pleasant for a trip to the city, but quite often, especially in coastal areas, it gets rainy. Summer temperatures and humidity are extreme, and winters could be surprisingly chilly.

POPULATION
Tel Aviv city has a population of 382,500, consisting of 91,8% Jews, 4,2% Arabs, and 4% other ethnic groups. It is estimated that around 50,000 unregistered foreign workers live in the city. Hebrew is the most common language, but if you speak in English, it is quite possible that most of the people will understand you. Despite the military conflict between Jews and Arabs in the last few decades, you still can hear Arabic language in some areas of the city.

DISTRICTS
The city of Tel Aviv can be divided into 8 major districts.

Yafo - Yaffa in Arabic, Jaffa in English. One of the world's oldest ports - here was where Peter the Apostle received a vision that made the considerable ideological split between Christianity and Judaism.
Central Tel Aviv - this is the cultural and financial centre of Israel, at the same time housing many cafes, shops, restaurants and parks of small size.
Ramat Aviv - northern neighbourhood. Tel Aviv University, Haaretz Museums and Diaspora Museum are located there.
Florentin - on the eastern side of the city. Being home to many young families, this area is a mixture of small industries of all kinds, garages and trendy small shops.
Hatikva - located in the southern parts of Tel Aviv. It houses large immigrant communities - West Africans, Chinese, Philippinese. The Central Bus Station is located there.
Ha Yarqon Street - alongside the coastline, it is home to the British and the American embassies in Israel, and to some of the finest hotels in the city.
Neve Tzedek - a picturesque artists' quarter, once it was the first neighbourhood outside the walls of the old Arabic town of Yaffa. It houses the famous Suzanne Dellal Dance centre.
Kerem Ha Temanim - an area that is older than Tel Aviv itself, it was built by Jewish immigrants from Yemen. Today it is a very densely populated area, located right next to the Carmel Market.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS

Old Jaffa - once the biggest seaport in Israel-Palestine is located south-west of Yarkon Street. Lately, the port and the area next to it have been turned into a modern district. Next to Jaffa sea port are the remarkable Zodiac alleys, the Ramesses Gate and the St. Peter's Catholic Church.
The Yarqon Park - the largest and the most famous public park in Israel. It is located in the central parts of the city, spilling into the Mediterranean Sea.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art - focuses on modern and contemporary art. There are also chamber and jazz music events organised in the museum. In the courtyard is the municipal library with books mainly in Hebrew and English.
Rabin Square - the largest public square in Israel. The country's prime-minister Izhak Rabin was assassinated there in 1995.
Azrieli Center - a high-rise structure in Central Tel Aviv, a main centre-point from the top of which you can enjoy a marvellous city view for a fee of 5.5 USD.
Eretz-Israel (Land of Israel) museum - located in Ramat Aviv area, it is a place of history, culture and archaeology. It includes the remains of an early Philistine settlement and the archaeological site of Tel Quasile.

AIRPORT
The city of Tel Aviv is served by one major airport - Ben Gurion International Airport. Once known as Lod airport, it is located 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv, near the town of Lod. The facility is named after the first prime-minister of Israel - David Ben-Gurion. More than 9,000,000 international and over 570,000 domestic passengers pass through the gates of the facility every year. Ben Gurion International airport is one of the world's most heavily secured airports. Luggage and body searches are often conducted, and departing passengers are personally questioned by security agents - interview could last from 5 minutes up to 1 hour - in case passenger is selected for additional screening. Located on the main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the airport is easily reachable by car or public bus. A popular transportation option is a sherut - which is a shared taxi van. A new Israel Railways service links the airport to Tel Aviv. The journey costs 12 NIS (2.8 USD), and takes around 15 minutes. http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion/

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Public buses - the most popular bus route in the city is bus route No5 that is connecting the Central Train Station in the centre and the Central Bus Station in the south parts of Tel Aviv. The bus network in the city is modern and widespread, bus services start from 05.00 and stop at midnight. Tickets are purchased from the driver, and cost 5,10 NIS ($1,2).
Taxis - all of them are metered, but often price of the ride is subject to bargaining. You can wave at a taxi in the street, or call one, with extra surcharge. Negotiating price in advance is especially recommended on Friday night, when traffic is hectic.
Train - the first partially underground railway in Tel Aviv is planned to be operational in 2012

HISTORY
The gulf of Jaffa has housed a fortified sea port for at least 4000 years. In 1908 the Ahuzat Bayit homebuilders association purchased land north of Jaffa, and started building in 1909. The name Tel Aviv was adopted in 1910. The master plan of development of the city was designed in 1925 by Patrick Geddes. Tel Aviv quickly became the centre of the urban life of Israel. The end of the dependency on Jaffa was in 1938, when Tel Aviv Port was opened. The city of Tel Aviv has been target of violence and terrorism by Palestinian militant groups for the last few decades.

CITY LINKS

Tel Aviv Official Web Site - http://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/english/home.asp
Dan Bus Company - http://www.dan.co.il/english/default.asp
Tel Aviv Museum - http://www.tamuseum.com/
Tel Aviv Travel Guide - http://www.telavivguide.net/
Tel Aviv Opera - http://www.israel-opera.co.il/Opera/HomePage/HE/Hp.aspx
Tel Aviv Interactive Map - http://www.telavivguide.net/files/telaviv-map.pdf
Embassies and consulates in Tel Aviv - http://www.science.co.il/Embassies.asp

UNIVERSITY LINKS

Tel Aviv University - http://www.tau.ac.il/
Bar-IIan University - http://www.biu.ac.il/index_eng.shtml