Haifa (or Hefa)

Chief seaport and industrial centre of Israel, situated in the northeast of the country at the foot of Mount Carmel, about 85 km/53 mi north of Tel Aviv-Yafo; population (1997 est) 264,300. The deepwater port dates from 1933, and has been considerably expanded since the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948 as a result of the rise of industry in the hinterland. Industries include textiles, steel, oil refining, chemicals, glass, cement, soap, building materials, metal goods, shipbuilding, and vehicle assembly. Israel's main naval base is here. It is the capital of a district of the same name.

Haifa corresponds to the classical Sycaminum. It was taken by the crusaders in 1100, by Napoleon in 1799, and by Egypt in 1839. It was surrendered by Egypt to Turkey in 1840. Occupied by the British in 1918, it became part of mandated Palestine in 1922. The Palestinian Arabs surrendered to Israeli rule during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49.

As a port, Haifa was overshadowed by Acre until the beginning of the 20th century. Jewish immigration encouraged its rise, and under the British mandate, communications and deep-water port facilities were improved and an oil pipeline laid from Kirkuk, Iraq. Oil refineries were built and later extended. A commercial centre grew up near the harbour area and the suburbs now extend up the slopes of Mount Carmel. To the north and east lies the industrial quarter. After Israel gained independence in 1948, the oil pipeline from Kirkuk was cut and the refining of oil curtailed until another line was laid from the port of Elat on the Red Sea.

The shrine of the Baha'i sect, with the tomb of 'Abdu'l-Baha, son of the founder of the Baha'i Faith, is situated on Mount Carmel's lower slopes and set in a Persian garden. The city is home to the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (1924) and the University of Haifa (1964).