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Birzeit
Other transcription(s)
• Arabic	بيرزيت
Birzeit Location of Birzeit within the Palestinian territories
Coordinates: 31°58′19.57″N 35°11′44.20″E / 31.9721028°N 35.195611°E / 31.9721028; 35.195611Coordinates: 31°58′19.57″N 35°11′44.20″E / 31.9721028°N 35.195611°E / 31.9721028; 35.195611
Governorate	Ramallah & al-Bireh
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Head of Municipality	Yousef Nasser
Area
• Jurisdiction	14,077 dunams (14.0 km2 or 5.4 sq mi)
Population (2006)
• Jurisdiction	4,529
Name meaning	"Well of [olive] oil"

Birzeit (Arabic: بيرزيت‎) (also written Bir Zeit) is a Palestinian town near Ramallah in the central West Bank. Its population in the 2007 census was 4529.^[1] Birzeit is a traditional Christian village. Its history dates back to the Byzantine era and earlier.^[2]

The name Birzeit literally translates to "well of oil"; referring to the wells in which its inhabitants historically stored virgin-pressed olive oil. The topology of the town consists of hills and sloping terrains with its highest point known by locals as "Al-Khirbeh", or "the ruin". Much of the surrounding land consists of olive trees which historically was a source of sustenance for what was primarily an agrarian society.

Today, Birzeit is known for its flagship of Palestinian institutions, Birzeit University. Much of its economy tied to the student population of the University. Several surrounding villages depend on Birzeit's economy; particularly during the latest round of road blocks and closures imposed by the Israel Defense Forces. This has led to a business expansion within the town consisting of several restaurants, cafes, internet cafes and salons.

Everyday life in Birzeit town and university are described by Irish journalist David Lynch in his book, A Divided Paradise: An Irishman in the Holy Land.^[3] Lynch spent the summer of 2005 living in the town, and studying in the local university and writes about his experiences there.

Population[link]

About 60% of Birzeit inhabitants are Palestinian Christians; the rest are Muslims.^[2] The Mayor of Birzeit, Yusef Nasser, is a Christian.

Christian Churches[link]

There are three Christian churches in Birzeit. The oldest one is St George Orthodox Church; now the Orthodox Christian community is building another large Orthodox Church, and an Orthodox Christian school that is considered to be the largest in the West Bank. The second church is the Our Lady Queen of Peace - Guadalupe (Roman Catholic), which also runs a high school. The Third church is St. Peter’s Episcopal/Anglican Church.

See also[link]

• Birzeit University
• Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate
• Palestinian Christians

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Birzeit

External links[link]

• Birzeit Society
• St George Orthodox Church site (Arabic)

v t e Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate Cities Beitunia al-Bireh Ramallah Rawabi (under construction) Municipalities Bani Zeid Bani Zeid al-Sharqiya Beit Liqya Bir Zeit Deir Dibwan al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya Ni'lin Silwad Sinjil Turmus Ayya al-Zaitounah Abu Shukhaidem al-Mazra'a al-Qibliya al-Ittihad Beitillu Deir 'Ammar Jammala Taybeh Village councils Aboud Abu Qash Abwein Ajjul 'Atara Beitin Beit Ur al-Fauqa Beit Ur al-Tahta Bil'in Beit Sira Budrus Burham Burqa Deir Ibzi Deir Jarir Deir Abu Mash'al Deir Nidham Deir Qaddis Deir as-Sudan Dura al-Qar' Ein 'Arik Ein Qiniya Ein Siniya Ein Yabrud al-Janiya Jifna Kafr Ein Kafr Malik Kafr Ni'ma Kharbatha al-Misbah Kharbatha Bani Harith Khirbet Abu Falah Kobar al-Lubban al-Gharbi al-Midya al-Mughayyir Nabi Salih Qarawat Bani Zeid Qibya Rammun Rantis Ras Karkar Saffa Shuqba Surda Yabrud Refugee camps Am'ari Deir 'Ammar Jalazone Qaddura Silwad