Bethlehem, Palestine

Capital City

With a population of just 25,000, Bethlehem is a tight-knit city that has seen its Christian majority shrink to a mere 10% in recent decades. The tax burden is heavy, and bureaucratic obstacles like the Israeli-built separation wall severely limit residents' movement. Bethlehem's climate is temperate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, though the city is prone to periodic blasts of hot, sandy wind from the Arabian Desert. Those considering a move to Bethlehem should weigh the challenges of life under occupation against the city's deep historical and religious significance.