Beersheba metropolitan area

The Beersheba metropolitan area (Hebrew: מטרופולין באר שבע) is a large city area in Israel. It includes the cities and towns in the Beersheba and Southern Districts. This area is found in the Negev desert, a big dry region of Israel.

Rahat

It is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Israel. That means many people live there—over 377,100. The area is very important for the country because of its size and location in the desert.

Metropolitan rings

The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics divides the Beersheba metropolitan area into two areas.

Notes

¹ The population of "Jews and others" includes Jews, non-Arab Christians and those not classified by religion.
² Includes the city of Beersheba.
³ Includes the cities Rahat, the local councils Lehavim, Omer and Tel Sheva, as well as many smaller towns (local councils).

Metropolitan rings in the Beersheba metropolitan area
Metropolitan ring	Localities	Population (2016 estimate)				Population density (per km²)	Annual Population growth rate
Metropolitan ring	Localities	Total	Jews and others¹	Thereof: Jews	Arabs	Population density (per km²)	Annual Population growth rate
Core²	1	205,800	200,800	180,300	5,000	1,752	1.1%
Outer Ring³	32	171,300	38,300	37,700	133,000	306	3.4%
Northern Section	12	90,000	12,700	12,400	77,300	292	3.4%
Eastern Section	8	71,500	15,800	15,500	55,800	562.3	3.5%
Western Section	12	9,800	9,800	9,700	0	78.6	3.6%
Total	33	377,100	239,000	217,900	138,100	556.8	2.1%

Transportation

Rail service helps people travel from the Beersheba metropolitan area to cities like Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Buses make it easy to get to places such as Eilat, Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.

The area has several important roads, including Highway 40, Highway 25, Highway 31, Highway 60, and Highway 80.

Metropolitan rings

Transportation

Related articles