BETHLEHEM. Located in the Judaean Hills 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Jerusalem, the town of Bethlehem is situated in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Judaism it was the birthplace of David, who became king of Israel in about 1000 BC. It is also one of the most sacred places for Christians. According to the Gospels, Bethlehem was also the place where Jesus Christ was born nearly 2,000 years ago.
On the site where Jesus is believed to have been born stands the Church of the Nativity. It was built in its present form by the emperor Justinian who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565. Over the centuries there have been conflicts over the jurisdiction of the various faiths at the site. The church is now divided between the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Orthodox faiths.
Modern Bethlehem is an agricultural and trade center, as well as a place of pilgrimage and tourism. The manufacture of religious articles is a traditional industry. Because of the town's religious significance, there are many churches, schools, and convents in the area. After the 1967 Six-Day War, Bethlehem came within territory administered by Israel. Population (1984 estimate), 20,000.
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