Ramat Gan
Ramat Gan is Israel's greenest city, adhering to a
self-imposed rule that stipulates that 25% of the city's area must be
dedicated green space.
There are varying accounts regarding when its lands
were first purchased, some say 1914, and other accounts note 1918. What
is known is that Ramat Gan was initially established as a semi-rural
neighborhood, known as Ir Ganim (city of gardens) between 1921-1923
by residents of Tel
Aviv and Jaffa. In 1923 its name was officially
changed to Ramat Gan (which literally translated means Garden Height).
Archeological finds from the Bronze, Iron and Byzantine eras have been
found in Ramat Gan.
Until 1933 it functioned
as a Moshav (a cooperative agricultural
settlement). In 1926, under the British
Mandate it was also recognized as a local council.
At the time it had 450 residents.
By 1946 Ramat Gan's population
was 12,000 and, in 1950, it was recognized
as a city. In 1955 the city's population
had grown to 55,000.
Abraham Krinitzi was Ramat Gan's first mayor and served
in this capacity 43 years. For many years his name was synonymous with
the city.
In 1961, the area that includes Bar
Ilan University and the Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Tel Hashomer Hospital) became part
of Ramat Gan. In 1968, the world's largest diamond exchange opened in
Ramat Gan (which also features a diamond museum).
The city is also home to the National Park, named in
honor of Abraham Krinitzi. The park includes the Safari, a large outdoor
zoo. In addition, Kfar Ha'Maccabiah (site of many sports events) and
the, Shenkar College of Engineering & Design are also located in
Ramat Gan.
Ramat Gan is comprised of the following distinct neighborhoods;
City Center, Nachalat Ganim, Kiryat Krinitzi, Ramat Shikma, Ramat Itzahk,
Shuchnat Rishonim, Tel Yehuda, Giva'at Geula, Neve Yehoshua, Kiryat
Borchov, Ramat Amidar, Ramat Chen, Shikun Vatikim, Shchunat Hillel,
Elite and Diamond exchange area and Tel Binyamin.
This suburb of Tel Aviv, which is adjacent to Givatayim,
now has a population over 150,000.
Sources: Israeli
Foreign Ministry |