Jericho

Basic Information

Type: City
Governorate: Jericho
Region: West Bank - Central

Overview

Jericho is the world's oldest continuously inhabited city and one of the lowest-lying cities on Earth at 258 meters below sea level. Archaeological evidence at Tell es-Sultan shows continuous settlement dating to 9000 BCE, making it over 11,000 years old. The city has survived countless empires and civilizations. Yet its modern reality is defined by Israeli occupation and the systematic Israeli colonization of the Jordan Valley. After the 1967 occupation, Israel designated the Jordan Valley — including the Jericho area — as a military zone of strategic importance. Settlement construction began in the 1970s (Vered Yeriho, 1977; Netiv HaGdud, 1975; Gilgal, 1970), establishing Jewish-only communities on land surrounding Jericho. The 1994 Oslo Accords transferred limited civil administration to the Palestinian Authority in Jericho, which became the first West Bank city handed over to PA control. However, Israel retained control over security, borders, water resources, and the majority of the Jordan Valley (designated Area C). Jericho remains isolated — surrounded by Israeli military zones, settlements, and checkpoints that control all access routes. The city's famous agricultural bounty (dates, citrus, bananas, vegetables) is constrained by Israeli water extraction from aquifers and restrictions on Palestinian water use. Over 85% of Jordan Valley water is used by Israeli settlements or the Israeli military, while Palestinian farmers face severe water rationing.

Historical Significance

Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest known continuously inhabited city in the world. The city is mentioned in the Bible as the first Canaanite city conquered by the Israelites. Hisham's Palace (Khirbat al-Mafjar) is one of the finest examples of Umayyad architecture. The Mount of Temptation (where Jesus fasted for 40 days) overlooks the city. The River Jordan baptism site (Qasr al-Yahud) is nearby.

Sources and record limitations

Source detail varies by record. Some entries include document and page references; others supply source names only. Check the cited material and the record's limitations before relying on a specific claim.

PCBS 2017 Census
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
ARIJ
UN OCHA
PASSIA
B'Tselem
Jericho Municipality
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture

Jericho is the world's oldest continuously inhabited city yet remains under military occupation. Its agricultural potential is severely constrained by Israeli water extraction and settlement expansion in the Jordan Valley.