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)
• 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, 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.

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).