| Herzliya | |||
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| Hebrew transcription(s) | |||
| • Hebrew | הֶרְצְלִיָּה | ||
| • ISO 259 | Herçliya | ||
| • Translit. | Hertzliya | ||
| • Also spelled | Herzliya (official) | ||
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Herzliya
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| Coordinates: | |||
| District | Tel Aviv | ||
| Founded | 1924 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | City | ||
| • Mayor | Yael German | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 21,585 dunams (21.6 km2 / 8.3 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2007)[1] | |||
| • Total | 87,000 | ||
| Name meaning | named for Theodor Herzl | ||
Herzliya (Hebrew: הֶרְצְלִיָּה) is a city in the central coast of Israel, at the western part of the Tel Aviv District. It has a population of 87,000 residents.[1] Named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, Herzliya covers an area of 26 km². At its western municipal boundaries is Herzliya Pituah, one of Israel's most affluent districts, home to ambassadors, foreign diplomats and businessmen.
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Herzliya, named after Theodor (Benyamin Zeev) Herzl,[2] was founded in 1924 as a semi-cooperative farming community (moshava) with a mixed population of new immigrants and veteran residents. In the 1920s, the father and grandfather of Tal Brody helped build the country's first airfield in Herzliya.[3][4][5] After the establishment of the state in 1948, large numbers of immigrants settled there. In 1960, when the population reached 25,000, Herzliya was declared a city.[6] According to other sources the airfield of Herzliya was built in 1948 war especially for the arrival of the first Messeschmidts airplanes.
According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, residents of Herzliya are among the wealthiest in Israel. In 2003–2005, average monthly salaries were NIS 8,211, or about NIS 1,500 above average in a survey of Israel's 15 largest cities. However, there is a large gap between the city's seven working class neighborhoods, among them Yad Tisha, Neve Yisrael and Neve Amal, and upscale Herzliya Pituah. The population is older than that of other cities in the Sharon region: 18% are under 14 years old, compared to a national average of 27.5%.[2]
In a quality of life survey in 2008, Herzliya ranked second highest among Israel's 15 largest cities. Investment in education was higher than all other cities in the survey and more high school students were eligible for a bagrut matriculation certificate.[2] The Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center is a private college that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in government, business administration, law, computer science and other academic disciplines.[7]
Israel's largest television and film studio, Herzliya Studios (Ulpanei Herzliya), is located in Herzliya. The Herzliya Marina was built in the 1970s. The city has a small airport (code: HRZ), three shopping malls (Arena Mall, Seven Stars Mall and the Outlet), movie theaters, museums, cultural centers and a stadium. In 2008, the Herzliya Cinematheque opened in the downtown area of the city.[8]
In a 2008 survey of 15 Israeli cities, Herzliya ranked second in fiscal management. The Herzliya municipality ended 2006 with a sizeable budget surplus.[2]
The city has two football clubs, Maccabi Herzliya and Hapoel Herzliya, both of which are based at the 7,100-capacity Herzliya Municipal Stadium. Both teams currently play in Liga Leumit. The Bnei HaSharon basketball club plays its games in Herzliya and Ra'anana (the club was formed by a merger of the Herzliya and Ra'anana teams). Herzliya is also one of the centres of rugby union in Israel.
One of the founders' homes has been turned into a museum documenting the history of Herzliya. The Herzliya Museum of Art is part of the Yad Labanim memorial complex. West of Herzliya is Sidna Ali, a Muslim holy site. To the northwest is Tel Arsaf (Arsuf) and the Apollonia National Park. Inhabited from the Persian period (2500 years ago) until the Crusader period, the site contains the remains of the Crusader town of Arsuf, including a fortress surrounded by a moat.[6]
Since its inception in 2000, the Herzliya Conference has become an annual summit of the most influential Israeli and international leaders. The conference is attended by government ministers, Knesset members, senior defense officials, leaders of the Israeli business community, senior academicians, media representatives from Israel and abroad, delegates of world Jewish organizations, foreign dignitaries and Israeli diplomats.[9]
Some of Israel's most expensive homes and finest beaches are located in Herzliya Pituah, a neighborhood on the western side of Herzliya. Herzliya Pituach is a sought-after venue for high-tech companies, and its marina, many restaurants and entertainment spots have turned this part of Herzliya into a vibrant hub of Israeli nightlife.[2]
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