Nazareth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nazareth
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View of Nazareth, with the Basilica of the Annunciation at the center
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 Nazareth
Location in Northern Haifa region of Israel
Nazareth
Location in Israel
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| Country |  Israel |
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| District | Northern | |
| Subdistrict | Jezreel | |
| Founded |
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| Municipality | Est. 1885 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor–council | |
| • Body | Municipality of Nazareth | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 14.123 km2 (5.453 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 347 m (1,138 ft) | |
| Population
(2017)
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| • Total | 76,551 | |
| Demonym(s) | Nazarene | |
| Ethnicity | ||
| • Arabs | 99.8% | |
| • Jews and others | 0.2% | |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (IST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (IDT) | |
| Area code | +972 (Israel) | |
Nazareth (pronounced NAZ-uh-reth; Arabic: النَّاصِرَة, an-Nāṣira; Hebrew: נָצְרַת, Nāṣraṯ) is the largest city in the Northern District of Israel. As of 2017, its population was 76,551 people. Many people call Nazareth "the Arab capital of Israel." It is a main center for the Arab citizens of Israel in terms of culture, politics, religion, and business. Most of its residents are Arabs; about 69% are Muslim and 31% are Christian. The city is also very important for religious reasons. It is known as the hometown of Jesus, a key figure in Christianity and a prophet in Islam and the Baháʼí Faith.
Contents
Discovering Nazareth: A City of History and Faith
Nazareth's Ancient Roots
Evidence from the nearby Qafzeh Cave shows that people lived in the Nazareth area long, long ago. Nazareth was a Jewish village during the Roman and Byzantine times. The New Testament describes it as the place where Jesus grew up. Later, during the Crusades, Nazareth became an important city. A leader named Tancred made it the capital of the Principality of Galilee.
The city faced challenges under different rulers, like the Mamluks and later the Ottomans. At one point, Christian residents were asked to leave. However, they were later allowed to return. In the 18th century, a leader named Daher al-Umar helped Nazareth grow. He encouraged more people to move there. The city continued to expand in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this time, European countries helped build many churches, monasteries, schools, and hospitals.
A Special Place for Christians
For a very long time, Nazareth has been a significant place for Christian pilgrimage. Many holy sites here remember important events from the Bible. The Church of the Annunciation is one of the biggest Christian places of worship in the Middle East. Inside, there is a special cave called the Grotto of the Annunciation. According to Catholic tradition, this is where the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus.
Another important church is the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Many Greek Orthodox Christians believe the same event happened there. Other famous churches in Nazareth include the Synagogue Church, St. Joseph's Church, the Mensa Christi Church, and the Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent.
What Does the Name Nazareth Mean?
The name 'Nazareth' has a few possible meanings. One idea is that it comes from a Hebrew word, netzer, which means 'branch'. This word is found in old prophecies about a new leader. Another idea is that the name comes from a Hebrew word, na·ṣar, meaning 'to watch' or 'to guard'. This could mean Nazareth was a 'watchtower' or a 'protected place' because of its location on a hill.
The Arabic name for Nazareth is an-Nāṣira. In Arabic, Jesus is sometimes called an-Nāṣirī, which means 'the one from Nazareth'. This is a common way to describe where someone comes from. In the Qur'an, Christians are called naṣārā, meaning "followers of Jesus of Nazareth."
See also
In Spanish: Nazaret para niños
