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Jerusalem

Capital of IsraelJerusalem stands on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains, inland between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, about 750 m above sea level.

Why it's the capital

Israel names Jerusalem as its capital, and the Knesset (Israel's parliament), the Supreme Court and the homes of the president and prime minister are in the city. Its status is disputed internationally, and many countries keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Fun facts

  1. The walled Old City covers less than 1 km² and is divided into four quarters: Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim.
  2. Places holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam stand close together in the Old City, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock.
  3. The Old City walls were rebuilt for the last time in 1538, under the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

Finding it on the globe

Look inland from the Mediterranean coast, in the hills west of the Dead Sea. Amman lies almost due east of Jerusalem, and Ramallah is just to the north.

Easy to mix up

Many players tap Tel Aviv, on the Mediterranean coast about 60 km to the northwest. Jerusalem is inland, up in the hills.

Sources: Wikipedia: Jerusalem, Wikipedia: Status of Jerusalem, Wikipedia: Tel Aviv