Bethlehem Governorate
The Bethlehem Governorate is one of 16 governorates of Palestine. It covers an area of the West Bank, south of Jerusalem. Its principal city and district capital is Bethlehem. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, its population was estimated to 199,463 in 2012.
Geography
According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the governorate has a total area of around 660 km2.Demographics
As of the 2017 census, 217,400 people lived in the governorate. There were 188,851 Muslims and 23,165 Christians. In the 2007 census, the population was 176,515. In the 1997 census, the population was 137,286.Politics
Politically, the Bethlehem Governorate is somewhat of a stronghold of the left. In the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and The Alternative both had their best results. Its current governor is Muhammad Taha Hassan Abu Alia.Localities
The governorate consists of 10 municipalities, 3 refugee camps, and 58 rural districts.Municipalities
Local and village councils
- 'Arab al-Rashayida
- Artas
- al-Asakra
- Beit Sakariya
- Beit Ta'mir
- Dar Salah
- Hindaza
- Jab'a
- Juhdum
- Jurat ash Sham'a
- Marah Rabah
- Rakhme
- Umm Salamuna
- ash Shawawra
- Wadi al-Arayis
- Wadi Fukin
- al-Walaja