Haifa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Haifa
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Downtown and Port of Haifa
Sail Tower
IEC Tower
Madatech
Bat Galim
Hadar HaCarmel
Stella Maris Monastery
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Map of Haifa
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 Haifa
Location in Northern Haifa region of Israel
Haifa
Location in Israel
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| Country |  Israel |
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| District |  Haifa |
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| Founded | 1st century CE | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 63,666 dunams (63.666 km2 or 24.582 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2017)
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| • City | 281,087 | ||
| • Urban | 600,000 | ||
| • Metro | 1,050,000 | ||
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Haifa is an exciting city in Israel. It is the third-largest city in the country. Haifa is home to about 281,087 people in 2017. It is also a major seaport on Israel's Mediterranean coast.
Haifa is built on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Its history goes back more than 3,000 years! Many different groups have ruled the area over time. These include the Romans, Crusaders, and Ottomans. Today, Haifa is an important center for technology and education. It has two famous universities: the University of Haifa and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. It is also home to the Baháʼí Faith's Baháʼí World Centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Contents
- What's in a Name? The Meaning of Haifa
- Haifa Through Time: A Journey into History
- Ancient Beginnings: Early Settlements and Biblical Connections
- Roman and Byzantine Eras: A Growing Jewish Community
- Early Muslim Period: Trade and Industry Flourish
- Crusaders and Mamluks: Times of Conflict
- Ottoman Rule: Rebirth and Modernization
- British Mandate: Major Growth and Development
- The State of Israel: A New Era
- Who Lives in Haifa? A Diverse Community
- Haifa's Landscape: Where City Meets Nature
- Exploring Haifa: Neighborhoods and New Developments
- Haifa's Economy: A City of Industry and Innovation
- Arts and Culture: A Vibrant Scene
- Healthcare and Education: Supporting Haifa's Future
- Getting Around: Transportation in Haifa
- Sports: Staying Active in Haifa
- Famous People from Haifa
- Sister Cities: Haifa's Global Connections
- Images for kids
- See also
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Haifa
The exact meaning of the name Haifa is not fully clear. Some people think it comes from the name of a high priest named Caiaphas. Others believe it is linked to Saint Peter, whose Aramaic name was Keipha.
Another idea is that the name comes from the Hebrew word hafa. This word means "to cover" or "to shield". This could refer to Mount Carmel covering the city. Some also think it means "shore" (hof) or "beautiful shore" (hof yafe).
Haifa Through Time: A Journey into History
Haifa has a very long and interesting history. It has changed a lot over thousands of years.
Ancient Beginnings: Early Settlements and Biblical Connections
The earliest known settlement in the area was called Tell Abu Hawam. It was a small port and fishing village around 1400 BCE. Mount Carmel and the Kishon River are mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. There is a cave on Mount Carmel known as the "Cave of Elijah". People believe the Prophet Elijah stayed there.
Roman and Byzantine Eras: A Growing Jewish Community
Around 300 CE, Haifa was known as a Jewish fishing village. It was famous for making purple dye from sea snails. This dye was used for special Jewish prayer shawls. During the Byzantine period, Haifa continued to grow.
Early Muslim Period: Trade and Industry Flourish
After the Arab conquest in the 600s, Haifa became a trading hub. It had shipyards and traded with Egyptian ports. Making glass and dyes were important industries. Both Arabs and Jews lived and worked in the city.
Crusaders and Mamluks: Times of Conflict
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In 1100, European Christians, called Crusaders, took over Haifa. They made it a small, strong fort. Later, in 1187, the Muslim Ayyubid army led by Saladin captured Haifa. The Crusaders took it back in 1191.
In the 12th century, religious hermits lived in caves on Mount Carmel. They formed a group called the Carmelites. Their church on Mount Carmel later became a mosque. Today, it is the Stella Maris Monastery.
In 1265, the Mamluk army destroyed Haifa's forts and many homes. This was to stop the Crusaders from coming back. For a long time after that, Haifa was a small village.
Ottoman Rule: Rebirth and Modernization
The Ottoman Empire took control in 1516. Haifa was mostly empty at first. But by the 17th century, it became a busy port again. More ships started using Haifa instead of Acre.
In 1765, a local ruler named Zahir al-Umar moved the village to a new, stronger location. This was the start of modern Haifa.
In 1831, Muhammad Ali of Egypt took control for a short time. When his rule ended, Haifa grew even more important. In 1858, people started building houses outside the city walls.
A big change happened in 1868 when German settlers, called Templers, arrived. They built a German Colony. They brought new technology like a power station and factories. They also started carriage services, helping to modernize the city.
Jewish immigration also increased in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many Jews from Morocco, Turkey, and Eastern Europe came to Haifa. The Jewish population grew from 1,500 in 1900 to 3,000 before World War I.
In the early 1900s, Haifa became an industrial city. A railway was built, which helped trade. In 1912, work began on the Technion Institute of Technology. This was a Jewish technical school that became one of Israel's top universities.
The Baháʼí Faith in Haifa
In 1909, Haifa became very important to the Baháʼí Faith. The remains of the Báb, a founder of the faith, were buried in a special shrine on Mount Carmel. This Shrine of the Báb is considered one of the holiest places for Baháʼís.
British Mandate: Major Growth and Development
British soldiers captured Haifa in 1918. Under British rule, Haifa grew a lot. It became a major industrial port city. The British built the port and oil refineries. This helped Haifa become a center for heavy industries.
Many Jewish immigrants came to Haifa during this time. The Arab population also grew as people moved from nearby villages. By 1945, Haifa had a population of 138,300 people.
The State of Israel: A New Era
In 1947, the United Nations decided Haifa would be part of the new Jewish state. This led to fighting between Jews and Arabs. Many Arab residents left the city during this time.
When Israel was created in 1948, Haifa became a main entry point for Jewish immigrants. New neighborhoods were built for them. Haifa continued to grow as a center for technology and industry. The Matam high-tech park, one of Israel's oldest and largest, opened in the 1970s.
In the early 2000s, Haifa faced some challenges. But new projects and better infrastructure have helped the city grow again.
Who Lives in Haifa? A Diverse Community
Haifa is Israel's third-largest city. It has a diverse population. About 82% of the people are Jewish. Nearly 14% are Christians, mostly Arab Christians. About 4% are Muslims. There are also Druze and Baháʼí Faith communities.
Haifa is often seen as a place where Arabs and Jews live together peacefully. The city has a lively Arab cultural scene. There are many Arab-owned businesses, theaters, cafes, and restaurants.
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The Christian Arab community in Haifa is the second largest in Israel. Many live in neighborhoods like the German Colony and Wadi Nisnas. These communities are known for being well-educated.
Haifa's Landscape: Where City Meets Nature
Haifa is located on Israel's Mediterranean coast. It sits on the northern slopes of Mount Carmel and around Haifa Bay. The city is built on three levels. The lowest level is for business and industry, including the Port of Haifa. The middle level has older homes, and the top level has modern neighborhoods with great views.
Nature and Wildlife in Haifa
Mount Carmel has three main valleys: Lotem, Amik, and Si'ach. These areas are mostly natural and run through the city. They are home to wild animals like wild boars, jackals, and chameleons.
Wild boars have become common in Haifa's streets. The city is working on ways to manage them, as some residents feed them.
Haifa's Climate: Sunny Summers and Mild Winters
Haifa has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Spring arrives in March, and by late May, it's warm. The average summer temperature is about 26°C (79°F), and in winter, it's around 12°C (54°F). Snow is very rare in Haifa. Rain usually falls between September and May.
Exploring Haifa: Neighborhoods and New Developments
Haifa's neighborhoods climb up Mount Carmel. The oldest part of modern Haifa is Wadi Salib, near the port. The German Colony, Haifa, built in the 19th century, is now a lively area with shops and restaurants.
Hadar was once Haifa's main cultural and shopping center. Above Hadar are wealthier neighborhoods like Carmel Tzarfati and Merkaz HaCarmel. Kababir is another neighborhood, home to the Ahmadiyya Community.
Building for the Future: Urban Development
Haifa is always growing and changing. New homes are being built in areas like Kiryat Haim. The city is also working on big projects.
A new plan for Haifa's waterfront will turn part of the port into a tourism and nightlife area. The train tracks that separate the city from the beach will be moved underground. There are also plans for new parks and business centers.
Another exciting project is a large entertainment complex. It will have cinemas, shops, and possibly a theme park. The city aims to increase its population by 60,000 people by 2025.
Haifa's Economy: A City of Industry and Innovation
People often say, "Haifa works, Jerusalem prays, and Tel Aviv plays." This shows Haifa's reputation as a city of workers and industry. The eastern part of the city is an industrial area. It has the Haifa oil refinery, one of Israel's two oil refineries.
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Haifa is also a hub for high-tech companies. Matam (Scientific Industries Center) is Israel's largest and oldest business park. Many big international tech companies like Apple, Amazon, Intel, and Microsoft have offices there.
The Port of Haifa is a major cargo and passenger harbor. Haifa is also becoming a popular tourist destination. The city plans to build more hotels and develop its beaches.
Tourism: Exploring Haifa's Attractions
Haifa has a beautiful 17-kilometer (10.5-mile) coastline with 5 kilometers (3 miles) of beaches. The main tourist attraction is the Baháʼí World Centre with its golden-domed Shrine of the Báb and stunning gardens. These gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other popular spots include the restored German Colony, Haifa, the Stella Maris Monastery, and Elijah's Cave. Near Haifa, you can also visit the Ein Hod artists' colony and the Mount Carmel national park.
Arts and Culture: A Vibrant Scene
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Haifa is a cultural center for northern Israel. It has the Haifa Theatre, the first city-funded theater in the country. There is also the al-Midan Theater for Arabic plays.
The New Haifa Symphony Orchestra performs regularly. The Haifa Cinematheque hosts the annual Haifa International Film Festival. Haifa also has many movie theaters and its own radio station, Radio Haifa.
Museums: Learning and Discovering
Haifa has many museums to explore. The most popular is the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space, also known as Madatech. It is located in the historic Technion building.
The Haifa Museum of Art shows modern and classical art. The Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art is the only museum in the Middle East dedicated to Japanese art. Other museums include the National Maritime Museum, the Railway Museum, and the Oil Industry Museum.
Healthcare and Education: Supporting Haifa's Future
Haifa has several medical facilities. The largest is the Rambam Hospital, which has 900 beds. Other hospitals include Bnai Zion Medical Center and Carmel Hospital.
Universities and Schools: Centers of Learning
Haifa is home to two world-famous universities. The University of Haifa, founded in 1963, is on top of Mount Carmel. The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, founded in 1912, was the first university to teach in Hebrew.
The Hebrew Reali School is the largest K-12 school in Israel, with 4,000 students. Haifa also has many other colleges and schools, including prestigious Arab schools like the Orthodox School and the Nazareth Nuns' School.
Getting Around: Transportation in Haifa
Public Transportation: Moving Through the City
Haifa has a good public transportation system. It has six railway stations along the coast. You can take trains from Haifa to many cities in Israel, like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Buses are operated by the Egged company. There are two main bus stations. Haifa is one of the few cities in Israel where buses run on Shabbat (Saturday), though on a reduced schedule.
Haifa also has a unique bus rapid transit system called the Metronit. These special buses run on dedicated lanes, like trams.
The Carmelit is Haifa's subway system. It is a funicular railway that runs underground from downtown to Mount Carmel. It's known as the world's shortest metro line!
Haifa has two cable cars. The Bat Galim cable car takes tourists from the coast to the Stella Maris monastery. The Rakavlit, opened in 2022, is a commuter cable car that connects the bus station to the Technion and University of Haifa.
Air and Sea Travel: Connecting to the World
Haifa Airport offers international flights to places like Cyprus. The Port of Haifa is a major port for both passengers and cargo ships.
Roads: Driving In and Out of Haifa
Highway 2 is the main road connecting Haifa to Tel Aviv. The Carmel Tunnels, opened in 2010, help traffic flow smoothly under Mount Carmel.
Sports: Staying Active in Haifa
Haifa is home to two main football (soccer) clubs: Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa. They both play in the top Israeli league at the Sammy Ofer Stadium. Maccabi Haifa has won many national titles.
The city also has professional basketball clubs, Hapoel Haifa and Maccabi Haifa. They play at the Romema Arena. There's also an American football club, the Haifa Underdogs, and an ice hockey team, the Haifa Hawks.
The Haifa Tennis Club is one of the largest in Israel. In 1996, Haifa hosted the World Windsurfing Championship.
Famous People from Haifa
Many notable people were born or lived in Haifa. These include:
- Aaron Ciechanover (born 1947), a biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
- Gene Simmons (born 1949), a famous musician from the band KISS.
- Odeya Rush (born 1997), a Hollywood actress and model.
- Naftali Bennett (born 1972), a politician who served as Prime Minister of Israel.
- Avi Wigderson (born 1956), a mathematician and computer scientist who won the Abel Prize.
Sister Cities: Haifa's Global Connections
Haifa is "twinned" with many cities around the world. This means they have special friendly relationships and often share cultural programs. Some of Haifa's sister cities include:
- Marseille, France (1962)
- Portsmouth, United Kingdom (1962)
- San Francisco, United States (1973)
- Bremen, Germany (1978)
- Shanghai, China (1994)
- Limassol, Cyprus (2000)
Images for kids
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Downtown and Port of Haifa
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Sail Tower
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IEC Tower
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Madatech
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Bat Galim
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Hadar HaCarmel
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Stella Maris Monastery
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Flag of Haifa
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Coat of arms of Haifa
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Map of Haifa
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Haifa July 1947. British soldiers remove injured passenger from SS Exodus
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Kingsway (now HaAtzmaut Road) in the 1930s
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Haifa 1945
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Haifa 1942 1:20,000
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The new German Colony, Haifa is shown prominently in the 1880 PEF Survey of Palestine map.
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German Colony in the 19th century
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Haifa in 1898
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Mount Carmel before 1899
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Jars excavated at Tell Abu Hawam
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Western Haifa from the air
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The Carmelite Compound in Paris Square
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Ben-Gurion Avenue and the German Colony
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Panorama Towers.jpg
Panorama Towers
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Bat Galim neighborhood and Haifa Bay
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Completed Metronit track in downtown Haifa
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A Cable Car descending from Mount Carmel to Bat Galim
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The Carmelit is currently Israel's only subway system.
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The Port of Haifa
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Sammy Ofer Stadium
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Folk dancing on Dado Beach
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Promenade along Dado Beach
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National Museum of Science, Haifa
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Rambam Medical Center
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The Technion is the first higher education institution with teaching the Hebrew language. It was listed multiple tilmes in the top 100 of the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.
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Rabin Building, University of Haifa
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Nazareth Nuns' School, a prestigious Arabic school in Haifa.
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Leila Khaled
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See also
In Spanish: Haifa para niños
