# Nablus

> city in the West Bank, State of Palestine

**Wikidata**: [Q214178](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214178)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nablus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nablus

## FAQs

**Where is Nablus located?**
Nablus is situated in the Nablus Governorate within the West Bank, State of Palestine. It lies at coordinates 32.216°N, 35.266°E and has an elevation of 550 metres above sea level.

**What is the population of Nablus?**
According to the 2024 census, the population of Nablus is 177,638. Previous census figures include 155,545 residents in 2017 and 146,493 in 2014.

**What is the historical significance of Nablus?**
Nablus has a recorded history dating back to approximately 120 BCE. It has been governed by several entities, including the Byzantine Empire (330–640), Ottoman Empire (1517–1918), Mandatory Palestine (1920–1948), Jordan (1948–1967), and currently the State of Palestine (since 1988). It historically replaces the ancient city of Shechem.

**What are the cultural and heritage designations of Nablus?**
The "Old Town of Nablus and its environs" has been a Tentative World Heritage Site since April 2, 2012, nominated under criteria (ii) and (iv). The city is also a member of the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities.

**Who governs Nablus?**
The current head of government is Husam Shakhshir, who assumed office on April 29, 2024. The city's official language is Arabic.

**What international relationships does Nablus maintain?**
Nablus is twinned with several cities, including Poznań, Dundee, Lille, Naples, Stavanger, Florence, Khasavyurt, Como, Tuscany, Rabat, and Fez. It is also a member of The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA).

## Why It Matters
Nablus is a significant urban center in the West Bank, serving as the capital of the Nablus Governorate. Its strategic location and long history, spanning Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern periods, make it a key cultural and political hub in Palestine. The city's designation as a Tentative World Heritage Site highlights the architectural and historical value of its Old Town. With a growing population and active local governance, Nablus plays a vital role in the administrative, social, and economic landscape of the region.

## Notable For
- Designated as a **Tentative World Heritage Site** ("Old Town of Nablus and its environs") since 2012.
- Long historical timeline with governance by major empires including the Byzantines and Ottomans.
- Serves as the capital of the **Nablus Governorate**.
- Recognized by numerous international authority files (GND, VIAF, Library of Congress, etc.).
- Member of the **Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities**.
- Maintains extensive **sister city relationships** across Europe and the Middle East.
- Population has nearly tripled since 1980 (60,000 to 177,638 in 2024).

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Nablus is a city located in the Nablus Governorate of the West Bank, State of Palestine. It covers an area of 29 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 550 metres above sea level. Its geographic coordinates are 32.216111111111 latitude and 35.266111111111 longitude. The city falls within the UTC+02:00 time zone for standard time and UTC+03:00 for daylight saving time. The postal code for the city is P400. It has been part of the State of Palestine since November 15, 1988.

### Governance and Political Status
Nablus has been subject to various ruling powers throughout its history. It was part of the Byzantine Empire from 330 to 640, followed by the Ottoman Empire from 1517 to 1918. In the 20th century, it fell under the administration of Mandatory Palestine (1920–1948) and then Jordan (1948–1967). Since 1988, it has been governed as part of the State of Palestine. The current head of government is Husam Shakhshir, who took office on April 29, 2024. The city serves as the capital of the Nablus Governorate, the Nablus Subdistrict, and historically the Nablus sanjak.

### Demographics
The population of Nablus has grown significantly over recent decades. The 2024 census records a population of 177,638. In 2017, the population was 155,545, and in 2014 it was 146,493. In 1980, the population stood at 60,000. All figures are based on census data.

### Heritage and Culture
The "Old Town of Nablus and its environs" was added to the Tentative World Heritage list on April 2, 2012, under criteria (ii) and (iv). The city's official language is Arabic, and its official name is نابلس. Nablus is historically linked to the ancient city of Shechem, which it replaces. The earliest written record of the city dates to approximately 120 BCE. The city is also a member of the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities and The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA).

### International Relations
Nablus maintains twinning agreements with a number of cities and regions, including Poznań, Dundee, Lille, Naples, Stavanger, Florence, Khasavyurt, Como, Tuscany, Rabat, and Fez. These relationships are documented on the city's official website.

### External Identifiers and Sources
Nablus is cataloged in numerous international databases and libraries. Key identifiers include:
- **GND ID**: 4102328-6
- **FAST ID**: 1224676
- **VIAF ID**: 262282354
- **Geonames ID**: 282615
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n83048641
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID**: place/Nablus
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID**: 2242984
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 13184202m
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007536656805171

The city is described in sources such as the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, the Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947), and the Bible Encyclopedia of Archimandrite Nicephorus.

### Media and Online Presence
The official website of Nablus is https://www.nablus.org/index.php/ar/, which provides content in Arabic. The city maintains a presence on various platforms, including a Facebook location ID (108036179217287) and a store ID on Google Play. Audio pronunciations of the city's name are available in Arabic and Palestinian Arabic on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](http://nablus.org/index.php/en/services-en/public-relations)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. MusicBrainz
7. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
8. Muʻjam buldān Filasṭīn (Dār al-Maʼmūn, 1987)
9. GeoNames
10. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
11. museum-digital