Official Name

State of Palestine

Capital

Jerusalem

Currency

Palestinian pound

Population

9.5 million (both in Palestine and Diaspora)

Population natural increase

3.2%

Main Languages

Arabic is the official language in Palestine. Many educated people understand and speak English to various levels of fluency. Other languages, like French and German are less common.

GOVERNORATES/DISTRICTS IN GAZA

1. Gaza
2. Gaza North
3. Deir Al Balah
4. Khan Younis
5. Rafah

Total GDP (PPP)

US$ 5.550 billion

GDP per capita

US$ 1,200

Indo-Palestine Bilateral and Economic Relations

The volume of direct bilateral trade between India and Palestine in 1998 was US$ 5.2 million. This increased to US$ 20 million in 2001. Products imported from India include fabrics, yarns, readymade garments, household appliances, stationery products, leather products, industrial tools and accessories, basmati rice, spices, vaccines and pharmaceutical products.

Governorates / Districts in West Bank

1. Jenin
2. Tubas
3. Tulkarm
4. Qalqiliya
5. Salfit
6. Nablus
7. Ramallah & Al Bireh
8. Jerusalem
9. Jericho
10. Bethlehem
11. Hebron

Universities

1. AL-Azhar University  Gaza
2. The Arab American University.  Jenin
3. Bethlehem University  Bethlehem
4. Birzeit University  Birzeit
5. Hebron University  Hebron
6. Islamic University  Gaza
7. Al-Najah National University.  Nablus
8. Al Quds University  Jerusalem
9. Al Quds Open University  Jerusalem

News Papers

1. Al Quds Newspaper (Arabic),
   Tel.: 02-6272663/57 Fax: 02-6272657
   www.alquds.com
2. Al Ayyam Newspaper (Arabic)
   Tel.: 02-2987341 / 4, Fax: 02-2987342
   www.al-ayyam.com
3. Al Hayat Al Jadeedah (Arabic)
   Tel.: 02-2400583/2407251 / Fax: 02-2407250
   www.alhayat-j.com
4. Jerusalem Times
   Biladi (English) Weekly from Jerusalem
   Tel.: 02-6264883, Fax: 02-6264975

TV Channels

1. Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)
   Chairman: Mr. Basem Abu Sumayya
   TEL.: 02-2988888 / 08-2823809
   FAX: 02-2988889
2. Al Amal TV Station
   Head: Mr. Zuheir Al Kurdi
   TEL.: 02-2255552 FAX: 02-2255554

Central Bank of Palestine

Palestinian Monetary Authority
Jawharat Al Bireh Building,
Near City Inn Hotel, Ramallah
Tel : 02-2409920 / Fax : 02-2409922
Website : www.pma.gov.ps

Think-tanks

1. Dr. Khalil Shiqaqi
   Palestinian Centre for Policy & Survey Research (PSR), Ramallah
   Tel.: 02-2964933 Fax: 02-2964934 / www.pcpsr.org
   Main field of work: Palestinian political, socioeconomic & strategic issues, research, polls & surveys.
2. Mr. Raji Sourani
   Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), Gaza
   Tel.: 08-2824776 Fax: 08-2823735 / www.pchrgaza.org
   Main field of work: Human rights issues, research, political & social rights & democracy.

Important Cultural Centres

1. Rashad Shawwa Cultural Centre, Gaza
   Tel.: 08-2821104 / 2864599, Fax: 08-2868965
   Main field of work: Cultural activities, expositions, plays, library etc.
2. Ramallah Cultural Palace, Ramallah
   Tel.: 02-2984704 e-mail: marketing@ramallahculturalpalace.org
   Main field of work: To organise cultural shows and performances
3. Khalil Al Sakakini Cultural Centre, Ramallah
   Tel.: 02-2987375 Fax: 02-2987374
   Main field of work: Gallery, concerts, films, plays, literary events & art courses.
4. Yafa Cultural Centre, Nablus
   Tel.: 09-2324553 Fax: 09-2324554
   Main field of work: Drawing, theatre, photography etc.
5. Issaf Nashashibi Centre for Culture & Literature, Jerusalem
   Tel.: 02-5828962 Fax: 02-5818232
   Main field of work: Library, exhibitions, poetry evenings, films etc.

Museums

1. Armenian Museum
   Jerusalem - Exhibits include ornate architectural pieces ,
   weaponry, ceramics, coins & glassware. Tel.: 02-6282331 Fax: 02-
   6264861
2. Rockefeller Museum
   Jerusalem - Set up with a gift of donation by the Rockefeller family
   in 1927, what was originally the Palestine Archaeological
   Museum. Some of the exhibits, particularly the carved beams from
   Al-Aqsa Mosque & the stone ornamentation recovered from
   Hisham's Palace are impressive.
   Tel.: 02-6282251, Fax: 02-6271926
3. Bethlehem Folklore Museum Bethlehem
   This small museum has exhibits of traditional Palestinian crafts
   and costumes. Tel.: 02-2742589 / 453, Fax: 02- 276035
4. Hebron National Museum Hebron
   Exhibits include archaeological & traditional antique pieces from
   different ages, Islamic age coins and old Turkish weaponry.
   Tel.: 02-2223495, TeleFax: 02-2227630

Main Contact in New Delhi

Embassy of the State of Palestine
D1/27 Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057
Tel: 0091-11-26146605/26142859
Fax: 0091-11-26142942
Website: www.mofa.gov.ps
E-mail : embassy@palestineindia.com

Chamber of Commerce

Palestine Trade Centre (www.paltrade.org)
Palestine Chambers of Commerce (www.pal-chambers.org)
Related useful links: www.palestine-net.com/business

Main Tourist Attraction

1. JERUSALEM: Jerusalem is perhaps the most fascinating, beautiful and the holiest city in the world  so many people have attached so much importance for so many different and conflicting reasons for so many years. Important sites are Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Wailing Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher etc.
2. BETHLEHEM: is the birthplace of Christ. Beside the pilgrimage sites, Bethlehem itself, especially Central Manger Square, Mar Saba Monastery, Herodian & Palace complex of Herod the Great are very attractive.
3. JERICHO: Reputedly the world's oldest and lowest (250m below sea level) town. Important sites are Hisham's Palace, Ancient Synagogue, Ancient Jericho, Ein as-Sultan, Mount & Monastery of Temptation, Dead Sea etc.
4. HEBRON: The Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of Machpelah) is the holiest site. Oak of Abraham around Hebron is also an important site.
5. RAMALLAH: Arabic for 'Heights of the Lord', Ramallah & its environs are among the more affluent areas of the West Bank.
6. GAZA: Gaza was at one time, a junction of trade routes linking Central Asia & Persia with Arabia, Egypt & Africa. Arabic for 'the treasure' or 'prize'. Important places are the Great Mosque, Mosque of  Said Hashim, Greek Orthodox Church, Napolean's Citadel, British War Cemetery, Beaches etc.

Main Imports

Food, Consumer goods, Construction material

Main Exports

Olives, Fruit, Vegetables, Handcrafts, Limestone, Flowers

Local industries

Stones & Marble, Pharmaceutical industries, Furniture, Chemical industries, Shoes and leather industries, Plastic industries, Jewellery, Food industries, Textile & Clothes industries, Paper industries, Handcrafts industries.

Seaports & Airport

Gaza Seaport (under construction) & Yassir Arafat International Airport in Gaza

Useful Websites

1. Muqata(President's Office) : www.p-p-o.com / www.p-p-o.org
2. Prime Ministry : www.pmo.gov.ps
3. www.mofa.gov.ps
4. www.pal-chambers.org