Ashdod

Ashdod (Hebrew: אַשְׁדּוֹד‬ (audio) ; Arabic: اشدود‎, إسدود Isdud), is the fift-lairgest ceety in Israel, locatit in the Soothren Destrict o the kintra, on the Mediterranean coast, locatit 32 kilometres (20 mi) sooth o Tel Aviv an 20 kilometres (12 mi) north o Ashkelon an 53 kilometres (33 mi) wast o Jerusalem. Ashdod is an important regional industrial center. The Port o Ashdod is Israel's lairgest port accoontin for 60% o the kintra's importit guids.

Ashdod אַשְׁדּוֹד‬ ‎
Hebrew transcription(s)
• ISO 259	ʔašdod
Skyline o Ashdod
Banner Coat o Airms
Ashdod
Coordinates: 31°48′0″N 34°39′0″E
Foondit	1956
Govrenment
• Teep	Ceety (frae 1968)
• Mayor	Yehiel Lasri
Area
• Total	47.242 km2 (18.240 sq mi)
Population  (2015)[1]
• Total	220,174
• Density	4,700/km2 (12,000/sq mi)

The first documentit dounset in Ashdod dates tae the Canaanite cultur o 17t century BC,^[2] makin the ceety ane o the auldest in the warld. Ashdod is mentioned 13 times in the Bible. Durin its history the ceety wis settled bi Philistines, Israelites, Byzantines, Crusaders an Arabs.^[3]

Modren Ashdod wis establisht in 1956 on the saund hills near the site o the auncient toun, an incorporatit as a ceety in 1968, wi a land-aurie o approximately 60 square kilometers (23.2 sq mi). Bein a planned ceety, expansion follaed a main development plan, which facilitatit traffeck an preventit air pollution in the residential auries, despite population growthe. Ashdod haed a population o 220,174 in 2015, wi an aurie o 47,242 dunam (47.242 km²; 18.240 sq mi).^[4]