Ashdod, Israel
City
Ashdod is the fifth-largest city in Israel, located in the Southern District of the country, on the Mediterranean coast (1). The modern city of Ashdod was built outside the historic settlement site, on virgin sands (1). Ashdod is one of the most important and major industrial cities in Israel (4). It is also an important touristic and cultural city (4).
Education
In 2013, the student population was 55,000. Ashdod offers higher education in several universities, colleges, and other educational institutions in the city (1).
Culture & Tourism
The municipal cultural center is located in the heart of the city (5). Cultural institutions: Yad LeVanim, Soldiers' Center, the municipal museum, conservatory, dance and pedagogical centers, municipal library, and international congress center (5).
Ashdod has become the leading city in immigrant absorption (5).
Ashdod’ attractions include: the southern beach, Giv'at Yonah (point of the city with the city’s lighthouse on top), Lachish Park, the Sand, Ad H'alom Memorial Park, The Korin Maman, and Ashdod Museum of Art (2).
During the summer, the city is filled with thousands of tourists (5). Ashdod itself continues to develop and it offers visitors a line of tourist attractions, cultural institutions and touring routes, a full and vibrant night life, luxury restaurants and coffee shops, shopping malls and various shopping centers, expansive lawns and gardens, marina boating and marine sports in the summer (5).
Transportation
Ashdod does not have an airport, but there is a passenger pier in the Port of Ashdod (1).
The Port of Ashdod is the largest port in the country handling about sixty percent of Israel's port cargo (1). In 2007, the Port of Ashdod handled 16.2 thousand tons of cargo including containerized cargo, bulk cargo, and general cargo (3).
The Port of Ashdod’s surrounding area contains warehouses, a grain silo, cold storage, container cleaning and repair services, and an office complex (3). The Port of Ashdod has one of the world’s most advanced terminal operating systems and automated equipment and facilities (3). Furthermore, the Port of Ashdod has a goal of protecting the environmental quality of the sea, the beaches, and the air (3).
Economy
Ashdod is becoming a metropolis that provides economic and commercial services (5). It is one of the most important industrial centers in Israel (5). The city’s large factories were established in early 1970s (5). Ashdod’s industries include food and beverages, paper and wood, plastic and metal, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, chemicals and electronics, and oil refinery (5). Ashdod is also home to Elta, a part of Israel Aircraft Industries (1). Cargos exported from the port include agricultural, citrus fruit, timber, metals, pelletized cargo, sling cargo, bulk cargo in grabs, and many more (6). In recent years, infrastructures were laid for the development of high-tech, alongside existing facilities, and new areas are planned for the development of international industries and a world trade center (5).
References