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| image_skyline          = Ashkelon harbor pic.jpg
| image_skyline          = Ashkelon city pic 1.jpg
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| imagesize              = 350px
| image_alt              =  
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| image_caption          = The city {{wp|business district}} (''foreground''), with the [[Ajax|Thalassan Ocean]] in the distance.  
| image_caption          = The city's beachfront district, with the [[Ajax|Thalassan Ocean]] (''foreground'').  
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| nickname                = "The Railroad City"
| nickname                = "The Beach City"
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| established_title1      = Rebuilt and continuously inhabited
| established_title1      = Rebuilt and continuously inhabited
| established_date1      = c. 578 CE
| established_date1      = c. 578 CE
| established_title2      = Kiryat Ashkelon
| established_title2      = Kiryas Ashkelon
| established_date2      =  
| established_date2      =  
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<!-- population ---------------->
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| population_footnotes    = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
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| population_total        = 279,591
| population_total        = 398,671
| population_as_of        = 2018
| population_as_of        = 2020
| population_rank        =  
| population_rank        =  
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| demographics_type1      = Ethnic groups
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| demographics1_title1    =  
| demographics1_title1    = [[Yisraeli Jews]] (87.7%)
| demographics1_info1    =  
| demographics1_info1    =  
| demographics1_title2    =  
| demographics1_title2    = [[Yisraeli Christians]] (9.3%)
| demographics1_info2    =  
| demographics1_info2    =  
| demographics1_title3    =  
| demographics1_title3    = Other (2.6%)
| demographics1_info3    =  
| demographics1_info3    =  
| demographics1_title4    =  
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The '''City of Ashkelon''', commonly referred to as '''Ashkelon''', is a large {{wp|Metropolitan area|metropolitan city}} in western [[Yisrael]], on the western coast bordering the [[Ajax|Thalassan Ocean]]. It is the third-largest city in the Kingdom.   
The '''City of Ashkelon''', commonly referred to as '''Ashkelon''', is a large {{wp|Metropolitan area|metropolitan city}} in western [[Yisrael]], on the western coast bordering the [[Ajax|Thalassan Ocean]]. It is the third largest city in the country by population (nearly 400,000), edging out [[Modiin]] by thirty-thousand citizens.   


It was founded as a trading post in the early 6th-century by [[Yisraeli Jews]] under [[Latium|Latin sponsorship]]. It has transformed over the centuries into a prosperous mid-sized city and a center for maritime and industrial economic activities, as well as a major [[Ajax#Continents|West Scipian]] transportation hub. It is the headquarters of [[Ashkelon Energy Group]].  
In {{wp|antiquity}}, it was a major port and {{wp|walled city}}, used by the ''{{wp|Canannites|Kenanim}}'', the ''{{wp|Philistines|Plistim}}'', and then the ''{{wp|Israelites|Yisraelim}}''. Towards the end of [[Monarchy of Yisrael#History|Latin rule of Yehuda]], the ancient city was destroyed and abandoned.
 
A couple centuries later, it was refounded as a trading port in the early 6th-century by [[Yisraeli Jews]] under [[Latium|Latin sponsorship]]. It has transformed over the millennium and a half into a prosperous large-sized city and a center for maritime and industrial economic activities, as well as a major [[Ajax#Continents|West Scipian]] transportation hub.
 
The city remains a frequent foreign tourist attraction, drawing crowds of over 2 million every year. It is a "{{wp|global city}}" and has the second-largest economy for a metropolitan area in [[Ajax#Continents|North Scipia]]. The city has the 35th highest cost of living in the world. A "party capital" in Scipia, it has a lively {{wp|nightlife}} and 24-hour culture.
 
It is the headquarters of the [[Roth Group]], the largest Yisraeli conglomerate. The [[Royal Yisraeli Political Academy system]] has one of its three campuses located inside the city.  


==History==
==History==
===Antiquity===
===Since the refounding===
==Geography==
==Geography==
===Climate===
===Climate===
Ashkelon has a {{wp|Köppen_climate_classification#Csa:_Mediterranean_hot_summer_climates|Periclean hot-summer climate}}, with nearly year-round sunlight. {{wp|Wind current}}s from the southeastern North Thalassan Ocean bring cold air up from eastern [[Ajax#Continents|Oxidentale]], moderating the {{wp|humidity}} slightly and limiting rainfall to the winter months, usually between October and April.
The city averages temperatures in the mid-60s °F during the winter, and upper 70s and low 80s °F in the summer months. The above-average hot temperatures often bring {{wp|Thermal comfort|thermal discomfort}} to its residents and visitors; freezing temperatures and snowfall are rare, even during the peak of the winter. The winter is characterized by steady, intense rainfall, usually between January and March, while the summer typically experiences numerous heat waves from warm fronts coming up along the West Scipian coast from {{wp|storm}}s originating from currents east of [[Sante Reze]].
==Cityscape==
==Cityscape==
==Demographics==
===Architecture===
 
Ashkelon is known for its {{wp|Eclecticism|eclectic}} {{wp|architectural style}}s from throughout its history. The oldest early {{wp|medievel era}} housing was built using [[Latium|neo-Latinic]] style, often mortar with sandstone and small walled gardens and entrance-ways. In the early {{wp|18th century}} under the [[Proclamation of the Kingdom of Yisrael|early Kingdom]], new Belisarian styles from [[Arthurista]] was highly influential, bringing {{wp|Georgian architecture}} into [[Yisrael]] for the first time.
 
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were characterized by a number of foreign and domestic architects, often from the modernist and {{wp|Art Deco}} schools. During the rebuilding after the widespread destruction in the [[Year of Blood]] and the [[West Scipian Wars]], classicist, {{wp|Art Nouveau}}, and post-modernist designs began to proliferate.


The city population is {{wp|self-segregation|highly self-segregated}}, mirroring other Belhavian cities, especially in the Four Provinces. A self-described "immigrant" city, Ashkelon has a large {{wp|foreign-born}} and {{wp|foreign expatriate}} population, as well as native-born city dwellers with strong ethnic, religious, and cultural immigrant customs and subcultures.
===Neighborhoods===


Although [[Belhavian Jews|ethnic Belhavian Jews]] make up a thin majority (50.6%), [[Rodarian Jews|ethnic Rodarian Jews]], [[Estovnian Jews|ethnic Estovnian Jews]], and [[Religion in Belhavia#Orthodox_spectrum|ethnic Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews]] from [[Canaan]] make up nearly 30.4%, each living in their own well-defined neighborhoods.  
The city has numerous neighborhoods defined by distinct demographic populations and geographic iconography.  


Among non-Jews, there are large populations of [[Temuair|Aisling]] [[Western Catholic Church|Western Catholics]] and [[Basileria]]n {{wp|Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Catholics}}, along with ethnic [[Rodarion|Rodar]]-[[Romulan Catholic Church|Catholics]].  
The Beach and Marina Districts cover much of the beachfront properties along the coastline, populated by hotels, office buildings, private viollas, yacht clubs and marinas and both public and private beaches. It is the most expensive area of the city, with rents and mortgages putting most residents out of reach. Consequently, it is a very wealthy and exclusive zone of private residents. It is overwhelmingly ''[[Chiloni-dati divide (Yisrael)#Nominal_Religious|Chiloni/Masorti]]'', with several famous {{wp|private community|private}} and {{wp|gated community|gated communities}} located on the beachfront and further inland in the district, such as "Aleph Bet Gimel Apartments," the "West Dock Village," and "Goldburg Luxury Estates."


==Economy==
==Demographics==


The Ashkelonian economy is largely {{wp|industrial}} and {{wp|blue-collar}}, as well as {{wp|transporation}} and {{wp|maritime}} industry-heavy.
The city population is {{wp|auto-segregation|highly self-segregated}}, [[Factionalism in Yisrael|mirroring other Yisraeli cities]]. A self-described "immigrant" city, Ashkelon has a large {{wp|foreign-born}} and {{wp|foreign expatriate}} population, as well as native-born city dwellers with strong ethnic, religious, and cultural immigrant customs and subcultures.  


Ashkelon is a major {{wp|port}} and shipping hub, and serves as the base for numerous maritime trades and companies. [[Trans-Scipian Chemical Company]] has an export distribution center on the city harbor. It is also a base for the [[Trans-Periclean Pipeline]] that transects the [[Ajax|Pericles Sea]] transporting {{wp|oil and gas}} from the south, having an {{wp|oil depot|oil terminal}} that collects {{wp|petroleum product}}s from [[King's Island]]. [TBD]
[[Yisraeli Jews]] make up almost 88% of the population, followed by 10% being [[Yisraeli Christians]]. The remainder are foreign-born or foreign residents.


It is the headquarters of [[Ashkelon Energy Group]] and its well-known CEO, [[Shmuel Ashkenazi]].
The city has over 500 {{wp|synogogue|''shuls''}} and over 75 churches. The largest foreign group in the metropolitan area are [[Sydalon|Sydalenes]], followed by [[Arthurista]]ns and [[Ottonia]]ns. Many work in business, others in fashion and the arts.  


==Economy==
==Culture==
==Culture==
==Media==
==Media==
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The local {{wp|newspaper of record}} is the ''[[Kalian Media Group|Ashkelon Coastal Intelligencer]]''. The city has over a two dozen radio stations.  
The local {{wp|newspaper of record}} is the ''[[Kalian Media Group|Ashkelon Coastal Intelligencer]]''. The city has over a two dozen radio stations.  


Network television dominates both cable and satellite television in the city, with a 2009 survey by the ''Ashkelonian Daily News'' finding that network TV commands 61% of the market compared to cable TV's 25% and satellite TV's 14%.   
Network television dominates both cable and satellite television in the city, with a 2019 survey by the ''Ashkelonian Daily News'' finding that network TV commands 61% of the market compared to cable TV's 25% and satellite TV's 14%.   


==Government & Politics==
==Government & Politics==
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====Form====
====Form====


Tel Avson has a {{wp|Mayor%E2%80%93council_government#Strong-mayor_form|Strong Mayor-Council}} form of government. The current mayor is [[Yossi Jacobi]] ([[Liberal Democratic Party (Belhavia)|Liberal Democrat]]).
Ashkelon has a {{wp|Mayor%E2%80%93council_government#Strong-mayor_form|Strong Mayor-Council}} form of government. The current mayor is [[Yossi Jacobi]] ([[Constitutional Liberal Party|CLP]]). [[Yisraeli general election, 2020#Results|After the 2020 elections]], Jacobi remains one of the highest-elected officeholders from the [[Constitutional Liberal Party|Con-Libs]].  


The City Council has 7 seats, all elected "{{wp|at-large}}."  The current City Council President is [[Uzriel Mizrahi]] ([[Liberal Democratic Party (Belhavia)|Liberal Democrat]]). The current Minority Leader is [[Naomi Normstein]] ([[Conservative Party (Belhavia)|Conservative]]).
The City Council has 15 seats, all elected "{{wp|at-large}}."  The current City Council President is [[Uzriel Mizrahi]] ([[Constitutional Liberal Party|CLP]]), commanding a 8-7 {{wp|coalition}} with the [[Alliance of Greens, Seculars, and Workers]]. The current Minority Leader is [[Naomi Normstein]] ([[Royalist Conservative Party (Yisrael)|Conservative]]), who heads a coalition opposition with the [[Alternative for Yisrael]].


====Politics====
====Politics====
==Education==
==Education==
==Infrastructure==
The city has few high-ways and is mostly local roads. The city traffic has a reputation for being slow and congested. ''[[Kalian Media Group#List_of_assets_of_KMG|Yisrael Weekly]]'' rated Ashkelon as the second-worst traffic city in the country in 2017 and 2019.


Ashkelon is home to the [[Ashkelon Yeshiva]], a major {{wp|college}}-age {{wp|yeshiva}} for religious Jews. A large ''Charedi'' and ''Dati'' Jewish community lives in the vicinity of AY.  
A private bus system with public subsidies operates in the city center, with a light rail company operating a outer-city passenger and commuter train line called the "Outer Loop."


The city is also home to the second campus of [[:Category:Belhavia|Southern Belhavian University]], the largest {{wp|private university}} in [[West Dakos|the province]].  
The [[West Scipian Railway]] has a {{wp|terminus}} starting in the city's Downtown District, [[West_Scipian_Railway#Lines|connecting north to Phillipopolis, Sydalon]].  


==Infrastructure==
==List of prominent births and residents==
{{main|Economy_of_the_Empire_(Belhavia)#Transportation}}


The city has few high-ways and is mostly local roads. The city traffic has a reputation for being slow and congested. ''[[Kalian Media Group#List_of_assets_of_KMG|Imperial Weekly]]'' rated Ashkelon as the second-worst traffic city in the country in 2007 and 2012.  
* [[Yaakov Luzzatto]] (b. 1957) - prominent [[Knesset]] politician.
* [[David Roth]] (b. 1988) - prominent [[Royalist Conservative Party (Yisrael)|Conservative]] politician; currently [[Yisrael#Cabinet|Minister of Justice]] under [[Presidency of Yisrael|President]] [[Yitzchok Katz]] and formerly [[Yerushalayim|Mayor of Yerushalayim]].  


A private bus system with public subsidies operates in the city center, with a light rail company operating a outer-city passenger and commuter train line called the "Outer Loop."
==See also==


Two private rail lines pass through Ashkelon; the "Dakos Peninsula Line" by the [[Cross-National Rail Company]] that heads northeast to [[Dakos]]. Also, the [[Peninsular Local Railway Company]]'s "Four Province Line" starts in the city and has northeast and southeast, to [[Dakos]], and [[Raffenburg]], respectively.
* [[Yisrael#Cities|Cities in Yisrael]]
* [[Yerushalayim]]


[[Category:Yisrael]]
[[Category:Yisrael]]

Revision as of 23:14, 13 April 2020

Ashkelon
City of Ashkelon
The city's beachfront district, with the Thalassan Ocean (foreground).
The city's beachfront district, with the Thalassan Ocean (foreground).
Nickname: 
"The Beach City"
CountryYisrael
DistrictWestern
Foundedc. 2000 BCE
Rebuilt and continuously inhabitedc. 578 CE
Founded byMordecai ben Bar-Lev
Government
 • TypeStrong Mayor-Council Form
 • BodyCity Council
 • MayorYossi Jacobi (Constitutional Liberal)
 • City Council PresidentUzriel Mizrahi
(Constitutional Liberal)
 • Minority LeaderNoami Normstein
(Conservative)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total398,671
Demonym(s)Ashkeloner
Ashkelonian
Ethnic groups
Time zoneUTC-3 (WST)

The City of Ashkelon, commonly referred to as Ashkelon, is a large metropolitan city in western Yisrael, on the western coast bordering the Thalassan Ocean. It is the third largest city in the country by population (nearly 400,000), edging out Modiin by thirty-thousand citizens.

In antiquity, it was a major port and walled city, used by the Kenanim, the Plistim, and then the Yisraelim. Towards the end of Latin rule of Yehuda, the ancient city was destroyed and abandoned.

A couple centuries later, it was refounded as a trading port in the early 6th-century by Yisraeli Jews under Latin sponsorship. It has transformed over the millennium and a half into a prosperous large-sized city and a center for maritime and industrial economic activities, as well as a major West Scipian transportation hub.

The city remains a frequent foreign tourist attraction, drawing crowds of over 2 million every year. It is a "global city" and has the second-largest economy for a metropolitan area in North Scipia. The city has the 35th highest cost of living in the world. A "party capital" in Scipia, it has a lively nightlife and 24-hour culture.

It is the headquarters of the Roth Group, the largest Yisraeli conglomerate. The Royal Yisraeli Political Academy system has one of its three campuses located inside the city.

History

Antiquity

Since the refounding

Geography

Climate

Ashkelon has a Periclean hot-summer climate, with nearly year-round sunlight. Wind currents from the southeastern North Thalassan Ocean bring cold air up from eastern Oxidentale, moderating the humidity slightly and limiting rainfall to the winter months, usually between October and April.

The city averages temperatures in the mid-60s °F during the winter, and upper 70s and low 80s °F in the summer months. The above-average hot temperatures often bring thermal discomfort to its residents and visitors; freezing temperatures and snowfall are rare, even during the peak of the winter. The winter is characterized by steady, intense rainfall, usually between January and March, while the summer typically experiences numerous heat waves from warm fronts coming up along the West Scipian coast from storms originating from currents east of Sante Reze.

Cityscape

Architecture

Ashkelon is known for its eclectic architectural styles from throughout its history. The oldest early medievel era housing was built using neo-Latinic style, often mortar with sandstone and small walled gardens and entrance-ways. In the early 18th century under the early Kingdom, new Belisarian styles from Arthurista was highly influential, bringing Georgian architecture into Yisrael for the first time.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were characterized by a number of foreign and domestic architects, often from the modernist and Art Deco schools. During the rebuilding after the widespread destruction in the Year of Blood and the West Scipian Wars, classicist, Art Nouveau, and post-modernist designs began to proliferate.

Neighborhoods

The city has numerous neighborhoods defined by distinct demographic populations and geographic iconography.

The Beach and Marina Districts cover much of the beachfront properties along the coastline, populated by hotels, office buildings, private viollas, yacht clubs and marinas and both public and private beaches. It is the most expensive area of the city, with rents and mortgages putting most residents out of reach. Consequently, it is a very wealthy and exclusive zone of private residents. It is overwhelmingly Chiloni/Masorti, with several famous private and gated communities located on the beachfront and further inland in the district, such as "Aleph Bet Gimel Apartments," the "West Dock Village," and "Goldburg Luxury Estates."

Demographics

The city population is highly self-segregated, mirroring other Yisraeli cities. A self-described "immigrant" city, Ashkelon has a large foreign-born and foreign expatriate population, as well as native-born city dwellers with strong ethnic, religious, and cultural immigrant customs and subcultures.

Yisraeli Jews make up almost 88% of the population, followed by 10% being Yisraeli Christians. The remainder are foreign-born or foreign residents.

The city has over 500 shuls and over 75 churches. The largest foreign group in the metropolitan area are Sydalenes, followed by Arthuristans and Ottonians. Many work in business, others in fashion and the arts.

Economy

Culture

Media

The local newspaper of record is the Ashkelon Coastal Intelligencer. The city has over a two dozen radio stations.

Network television dominates both cable and satellite television in the city, with a 2019 survey by the Ashkelonian Daily News finding that network TV commands 61% of the market compared to cable TV's 25% and satellite TV's 14%.

Government & Politics

Municipal

Form

Ashkelon has a Strong Mayor-Council form of government. The current mayor is Yossi Jacobi (CLP). After the 2020 elections, Jacobi remains one of the highest-elected officeholders from the Con-Libs.

The City Council has 15 seats, all elected "at-large." The current City Council President is Uzriel Mizrahi (CLP), commanding a 8-7 coalition with the Alliance of Greens, Seculars, and Workers. The current Minority Leader is Naomi Normstein (Conservative), who heads a coalition opposition with the Alternative for Yisrael.

Politics

Education

Infrastructure

The city has few high-ways and is mostly local roads. The city traffic has a reputation for being slow and congested. Yisrael Weekly rated Ashkelon as the second-worst traffic city in the country in 2017 and 2019.

A private bus system with public subsidies operates in the city center, with a light rail company operating a outer-city passenger and commuter train line called the "Outer Loop."

The West Scipian Railway has a terminus starting in the city's Downtown District, connecting north to Phillipopolis, Sydalon.

List of prominent births and residents

See also