About Tel Aviv - Jaffa  תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ

As the symbolic center of Israeli pluralism and liberalism, Tel Aviv is home to Israeli natives and new immigrants, young couples and senior citizens, business people and artists, religious and secular. Over 1 million people (1/6 of the population of the State of Israel) commute to the city daily for work, for educational and entertainment purposes, as the city is the center of Israeli commerce, the seat of institutions for higher education, and a focal point of Israeli art and culture. 

The city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa will celebrate its 100 year anniversary in the spring of 2009.  This important milestone represents the fulfillment of Theodore Herzl’s dream of modern Zionism - creating a Jewish utopian homeland that would bring spiritual, economic and cultural growth to its people.  Today Tel Aviv stands as a shining example of that dream, encompassing all facets of modern day Israel.
 

Did you know...

The city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa was established in 1909. Its birth coincided with the birth of modern Zionism. It is the first Hebrew-speaking city in modern times.

Tel Aviv and its outskirts consists of 2 1/2 million people, about one-third of Israel's population. Over one million people visit the city daily. Actual population within city limits is 350,000.

Incorporated into a single municipality with Tel Aviv in 1950, Jaffa is older than the city of Jerusalem, and is the oldest operating port in the world.

Tel Aviv contains the largest collection of Bauhaus Architecture in the world and was named a UNESCO world heritage site.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa is Israel's center of commerce and culture. Most major banks, insurance, and high tech companies, are headquartered in Tel Aviv. Fifty percent of all theater seats filled each day in Israel are in Tel Aviv. It is home to the only Opera House, the Israel Philharmonic, Habima, Cameri and Gesher Theatre companies. Israel's Diaspora Museum, the Museum of Art, Museum Ha'aretz, Nahum Gutman and Rubin Museums are all located in Tel Aviv. It is home to the Bat-Sheva Dance Troupe and the Cinematheque.

While the Tel Aviv municipality ranks first in the country in per-capita spending on education, culture and social welfare, 40% of Tel Aviv-Jaffa residents live at the poverty level or below.