Ramallah is located in the middle of the West Bank. It is six miles (10 km) north of Jerusalem. The city has an approximate elevation of 880 meters above sea level. Ramallah is located adjacent to the city of al-Bireh city, so much so that its buildings and streets overlap and appear as if the two are one city. Ramallah has an area of 16.5 square km. Its population is estimated to be about 29,577 people. Ramallah is situated in a province in which the population is estimated to be about 301,296 people.
Ramallah is currently considered to be the temporary administrative capital of Palestine. This means that the governmental institutions and ministries of Palestine are all located in Ramallah. Ramallah is also considered a cultural city due to its variety of international and local arts. In the past Ramallah was a Christian town. today the majority of people living there are Muslim. The name “Ramallah” is actually a combination of two words. ”Ram” is an Aramaic word meaning a “high place or mountain”. “Allah” is the word for “God” in the Arabic language. Together, “Ram” and “Allah” becomes “the hill of God”.
Because Ramallah is a liberal city with a diverse population of Palestinians and internationals who come either as a visitors or residents to work with international organizations with offices there, it is a popular destination.
The attractions of Ramallah include the Mukataa which is the headquarter and administrative center of Palestine. The Mukataa was built during the British Mandate and it was used to administer the city. The Mukataa houses, additionally, the police stations and prisons. This type of building was built in most Palestinian cities during the British Mandate period. The Palestinian Parliament is also located in Ramallah. Al Manara Square displays five statues of lions that symbolize the origin of the families. Gamal Abdel Al-Nasser Mosque is located in Ramallah. This mosque is named after the former Egyptian president, Gamal Abdel Al-Nasser, who ruled Egypt from 1956.
You may also visit the Mosque and Museum of Yasser Arafat where you are able to see mementos of Yasser Arafat. The hight of the mosque minaret is equal to the years, 32, that Yasser Arafat presided over the PLO. Ramallah offers also attractions such as the Greek Orthodox Church, Holy Family Church. Other attractions include the Alhambra Palace Hotel built in 1951, and the gravesite and memorial of Mahmoud Darwish, Palestine’s most famous poet.
