Nablus

Nablus combines ancient history and modernism in a fascinating old-new land. Naturally, because of Nablus place in old nations history and the overwhelming visual testimony of their civilizations, be it in architecture, or pottery which is ever to be remembered.

Nablus lies hidden in the mountains which overlook its surroundings. This simple geographical information was known to the ancients who found along the protecting mountains an ideal route for the trade between the Mediterranean countries and the more distant world. Nablus becomes the cradle of ancient civilizations.

Nablus is one of the Canaanites cities who came from Arabia to Palestine in 2500 B.C. Its geographical position on the trade roads made it an important commercial center for most of the successive civilizations as Pharaohs, Crusades, Mongols, Mamlukes, Ottomans and others.

Nablus as a Canaanite city was important in ancient Palestine. Since then it has a picturesque and a strategical situation for more than 9000 years. It was mentioned under the name of Nablus in (Tel Al Amarinah) messages as well as in the reports of Thutmose III which indicated that the city was built during the Canaanites Age. It was also mentioned in the Bible as Shechem. Archaeological excavations, taking place during the First World War, made it possible to identify many facts about the history of the city.

Nablus as a part of Palestine, its history cannot be separated from the history of Palestine, especially the northern part of the city.

Nablus as we have mentioned before, is frequently mentioned through the articles and essays of many explorers and historians (both arabs and foreigner) as Al-Yakoubi, Al-Istarkhi, Bin-Houkalo, Al-Makdessi, Al-Idrissi, the Jerman monk Berkham, As-Sa'h Sanoodeh, Yakout al-Humewi, Ibn-Batuta, Sheikh Abdel Ghani Al-Nabulsi and others.

Location & Land Use

Nablus district is located in the northern part of the West Bank. The district is located between 349m below sea level and 918m above sea level. The topography of Nablus district can be divided into four parts: Jordan Valley, the eastern slopes, mountain crests and western slopes. The highest point in the district reaches 918m above sea level at Jabel 'Ibal, while the lowest elevation is 349m below sea level at the southeast corner of the district.

Nablus district is located at the northern latitude earth grid 32: 12, it has hot, dry summers and moderate, rainy winters. There is no great variation in different climatic parameters in Nablus district.
The city lies on the crossroads that connect the whole region together and facilitate contact among different directions.

Nablus is about 110km. far away from Amman, 42 Km. from the Mediterranean, 66Km. from Jerusalem and Jenin. It is 550m high from sea level. Nablus has a moderate climate.