Marhaba! Welcome to a land of deep history and enduring spirit—Palestine, located in the Levant region of the Middle East. There are around 5 million people living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with a large diaspora living around the world. The administrative center is Ramallah, though East Jerusalem is claimed as the capital. The official language is Arabic, and you’ll find that many people also speak English or Hebrew.

Palestine covers about 6,020 square kilometers (2,324 square miles). The territory is roughly one-fourth the size of the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or about one-fifth the size of Belgium. It is a land of diverse geography, ranging from the fertile hills of the north to the arid shores of the Dead Sea.

The most popular sport is Football, and the national team, known as the “Lions of Canaan,” is a source of immense national pride. Their national animal is the Mountain Gazelle, while the Palestine Sunbird is the beautiful and resilient national bird.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of black, white, and green with a red triangle based on the hoist side, where the black represents the Abbasid Caliphate, the white symbolizes the Umayyad Caliphate, the green represents the Fatimid Caliphate, and the red triangle stands for the Hashemite dynasty and the blood of martyrs.

The food is a centerpiece of the culture and is famous for its hospitality. You must try Maqluba, which literally means “upside-down,” a delicious pot of meat, rice, and fried vegetables that is flipped onto a tray before serving. Another favorite is Musakhan, roasted chicken seasoned with sumac and served on top of Taboon bread with caramelized onions. For dessert, the city of Nablus is world-famous for its Kunafeh, a sweet, cheesy pastry soaked in syrup.

Palestine is home to Jericho, which is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, with archaeological remains dating back over 10,000 years. The country features the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, identified by tradition as the birthplace of Jesus. You can visit the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the Earth, where the water is so salty you float effortlessly. For a walk through history, the Old City of Hebron is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient limestone architecture. Interestingly, Palestine is one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality olive oil, and some olive trees in the region are over 2,000 years old!

From the bustling markets of Gaza to the ancient olive groves of the West Bank, Palestine is a land of profound heritage and legendary resilience. Shukran! That means “Thank you!”