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Ashkelon

Ashkelon
  • אַשְׁקְלוֹן
  • عسقلان
Hebrew transcription(s)
 • ISO 259 ʔašqlon
 • Translit. Ashkelon
 • Also spelled Ashqelon, Ascalon (unofficial)
Ashkelonskyline.jpg
Flag of Ashkelon
Flag
Ashkelon COA.png
Coat of arms
Ashkelon is located in Israel
Ashkelon
Ashkelon
Coordinates: 31°40′N 34°34′E / 31.667°N 34.567°E / 31.667; 34.567Coordinates: 31°40′N 34°34′E / 31.667°N 34.567°E / 31.667; 34.567
Country  Israel
District Southern
Government
 • Type City
 • Mayor Itamar Shimoni
Area
 • Total 47,788 dunams (47.788 km2 or 18.451 sq mi)
Population (2015)
 • Total 130,660
Website www.ashkelon.muni.il

Ashkelon (/æʃkɛln/ also spelled Ashqelon and Ascalon; Hebrew: About this sound אַשְׁקְלוֹן[aʃkelon]; Arabic: عسقلان‎‎ ʿAsqalān) is a coastal city in the Southern District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of Tel Aviv, and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age. In the course of its history, it has been ruled by the Ancient Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Hasmoneans, the Romans, the Persians, the Arabs and the Crusaders, until it was destroyed by the Mamluks in 1270.


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Wikipedia

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