Nasralla threatened not only to invade and occupy the Galil […] but also to attack Kafrasin (i.e. Katzrin?).

 With all the war talk and threats of capturing the North of Israel, lets see just what is the North of Israel.

What is the history of Katzrin?

Known as the “capital of the Golan Heights”, Katzrin is full of beautiful scenery and fascinating history. The original Katzrin, which dates back to the Byzantine era, was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 CE. Thousands of years later, you can still see some of the ruins that tell the story of the ancient town.

 

Northern Israel is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and diverse areas in the country, and a magnet for adventure lovers.

The Amazing Geography of Northern Israel

• Sometimes referred to as the ‘the North’ by locals, it is defined geographically by a border with Syria and Lebanon to the North, the Mediterranean Sea to the West, the southern tip of Mount Carmel to the South, and the Jordan River to the East.
• The Jordan River empties into the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret in Hebrew) from the north and then flows out of its southern edge.
• A common misconception is that the Sea of Galilee is a sea, when in fact it is a lake (Lake Kinneret). It is the primary source of fresh water for the entire country and, unfortunately, is in danger of extinction primarily due to the lack of rainfall and increased water demand of the population.
• The Golan Heights (Ramat Hagolan in Hebrew) is a large, relatively barren piece of land on the northeastern tip of Israel, which leads straight into Syria. Along with Jews and Arabs, about 20,000 Druze populate the Golan
• Haifa is the major port city in this area. It is an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful city situated in the Carmel Mountains overlooking the Mediterranean Sea; which reminds me a lot of San Francisco. In fact, Carmel Valley on the California coast was named by Carmelite Friar Sebastian Vizcaino after the Lady of Mount Carmel, otherwise known as the Virgin Mary.
• Tiberias is located in the Lower Galil just west of the Kinneret. It is considered to be one of the holiest cities in Israel and a truly excellent holiday destination for the entire family.
• Nahariya – for those interested in a Mediterranean-style getaway that combines the luxury of a seashore vacation in a breathtaking beachfront town filled with fascinating history, interesting cultural sites and a charming European atmosphere.
• Acco is small coastal town north of Haifa. With its incredible history, you can visit the ancient crusader castle and wander the old city with its colorful markets stalls and amazing spicy aromas.
• Safed a beautiful ancient city, considered by Judaism as one of the the Four Holy Cities, is a must to visit. The city’s mild climate, beautiful surroundings and history attract both religious and secular Jews and tourist from a afar.

The Golan Heights

For me, northern Israel is the antithesis of Tel Aviv; quiet, serene, and peaceful. But don’t let looks fool you! Many battles have been fought on this land and you can still see the remains on the deserted battlefields of the Golan Heights.

In fact, the Golani Brigade is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the Israel Defense Forces.

The L.A. Times refers to the Golan Heights as ‘A battlefield for the Ages’.

The “Tuscany” of the Middle East

As promised, not only will we show you the must see mainstream attractions, but also the affordable hidden adventures, based on our own personal travel experiences.

Lisa and I have visited the area and taken hundreds of family photos, which are featured throughout the site (our kids reluctantly agreed).

It is our pleasure to share with you what we consider to be the top treasures and must see attractions:

• Things to Do in Northern Israel
• The ancient port city of Caesarea and Aquaduct beach.
• Fascinating Hula Valley; a unique nature reserve below the Golan Heights.
• See our amazing photo album of the North.

There are countless historical sites to see, authentic Druze restaurants to enjoy, and great Galilee hotels and Bed and Breakfasts (Zimmerim) to stay at for you and your family.

More about Northern Israel from Israel Travel Secrets.

Northern District (Israel)

The Northern District has a land area of 3,324 km², making it the second largest district in Israel. The district capital is Nof HaGalil and the largest city is Nazareth.

The Golan Heights has been run as a sub-district of the North District of Israel since the 1981 Golan Heights Law was passed, although the claim is only recognized by the United States^[4] while United Nations Security Council condemned the annexation in its Resolution 497 without enforcing it. The Golan Heights covers a land area of 1,154 km² and the remainder of the Northern District covers 3,324 km² (3,484 km² including water).

According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics data for 2022:^[5]

• Total population: 1,527,800 (2022)
• Ethnic:
• Arabs: 816,800 (53.5%)
• Jews: 647,500 (42.4%)
• Others: 63,500 (4.2%)

In the Israeli census, no distinction is made between Arab citizens of Israel and Syrian inhabitants of the Golan Heights, many of whom are not citizens of Israel, but of Syria.

• Religious:
• Jews: 647,500 (42.4%)
• Muslims: 597,300 (39.1%)
• Druze: 120,300 (7.9%)
• Christians: 97,800 (6.4%)
• Not classified: 55,600 (3.6%)
• Density: 335/km²

The Northern District is the only district of Israel where the majority of inhabitants are Arabs

SubDistricts:

• Acre
• Golan 
• Jezreel
• Kinneret (Tiberias)
• Safed

Cities

• Acre
• Afula
• Arraba
• Bet She'an
• Karmiel
• Kiryat Shmona
• Ma'alot-Tarshiha
• Maghar
• Migdal HaEmek
• Nahariyya
• Nazareth
• Nof HaGalil
• Safed
• Sakhnin
• Shefa-'Amr
• Tamra
• Tiberias
• Yokneam