Silwad
Encyclopedia
Silwad is a Palestinian
town located 12 kilometers north-east of Ramallah
, about 5 km away from the Nablus
-Jerusalem highway. Silwad altitude is 860 Meter above sea level. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
(PCBS), the town had a population of 6,123 inhabitants in 2007.
, grapes and olives. The economy of Silwad is based on farming as well as handicrafts.
confiscated lands of Silwad and nearby Ein Yabrud
for the construction of a military camp before the Six Day War. The Jordanian buildings formed the initial basis of the Israeli settlement of Ofra
founded in 1975. Plans for further expansion of Ofra in this land in 2011 resulted in legal challenges and public dispute.
, Silwad had 380 occupied houses and a population of 1631 Muslims and 4 Christians.
The main family inhabitants are Hamed, Hammad, and Ayyad. It is believed to be that Hamed and Hammad are brothers, who settled in the city of Silwad. Ayyad is believed to have been accompanying the two brothers. Hamed is proven to be the largest family there.
According to the estimates of Silwad Association in Jordan the population of the people of Silwad in Diaspora exceeds 25,000 (1996 estimates). Among these, 8,000 reside in Silwad. There are about 8,000 Palestinians from Silwad in Kuwait, and there are also some in South America, especially Brazil
.
Palestinian territories
The Palestinian territories comprise the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Since the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in 1988, the region is today recognized by three-quarters of the world's countries as the State of Palestine or simply Palestine, although this status is not recognized by the...
town located 12 kilometers north-east of Ramallah
Ramallah
Ramallah is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank located 10 kilometers north of Jerusalem, adjacent to al-Bireh. It currently serves as the de facto administrative capital of the Palestinian National Authority...
, about 5 km away from the Nablus
Nablus
Nablus is a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank, approximately north of Jerusalem, with a population of 126,132. Located in a strategic position between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it is the capital of the Nablus Governorate and a Palestinian commercial and cultural center.Founded by the...
-Jerusalem highway. Silwad altitude is 860 Meter above sea level. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics is the statistical organization under the umbrella of the Palestinian Cabinet of the Palestinian National Authority....
(PCBS), the town had a population of 6,123 inhabitants in 2007.
Etymology
Historians have argued the etymology of Silwad. Some debated that the name is derived from the words “Lisan” & “Wad” meaning ‘Tongue of the Valley’ as the town is surrounded by mountains from all sides while the town appears as tongue amidst the mountains. Others mention that Silwad comes from the source “Sal” &“Wad” meaning ‘a Running Valley’, the words were combined together to give the current name of the town.Climate and economy
The climate is Mediterranean-mountainous. Cold and humid winters with several days of snow almost every year with an average annual precipitation of about 750 millimeters (29.5 inches). The summers are dry and mild. This climate is suitable for growing cherries, nectarines, kiwifruitKiwifruit
The kiwifruit, often shortened to kiwi in many parts of the world, is the edible berry of a cultivar group of the woody vine Actinidia deliciosa and hybrids between this and other species in the genus Actinidia....
, grapes and olives. The economy of Silwad is based on farming as well as handicrafts.
Land confiscation
JordanJordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
confiscated lands of Silwad and nearby Ein Yabrud
Ein Yabrud
Ein Yabrud is a Palestinian town in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate in the central West Bank. It is located approximately 7 km northeast of the city of Ramallah and its elevation is 800 m. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics the town had a population of 3,000...
for the construction of a military camp before the Six Day War. The Jordanian buildings formed the initial basis of the Israeli settlement of Ofra
Ofra
Ofra is an Israeli settlement located in the northern West Bank in the jurisdiction of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. It is situated on the main road between Jerusalem and Nablus , 25 km from Jerusalem and has 3,200 inhabitants ....
founded in 1975. Plans for further expansion of Ofra in this land in 2011 resulted in legal challenges and public dispute.
Demographics
At the time of the 1931 census1931 census of Palestine
The 1931 census of Palestine was the second census carried out by the authorities of the British Mandate of Palestine. It was carried out on 18 November 1931 under the direction of Major E. Mills. The first census had been conducted in 1922...
, Silwad had 380 occupied houses and a population of 1631 Muslims and 4 Christians.
The main family inhabitants are Hamed, Hammad, and Ayyad. It is believed to be that Hamed and Hammad are brothers, who settled in the city of Silwad. Ayyad is believed to have been accompanying the two brothers. Hamed is proven to be the largest family there.
According to the estimates of Silwad Association in Jordan the population of the people of Silwad in Diaspora exceeds 25,000 (1996 estimates). Among these, 8,000 reside in Silwad. There are about 8,000 Palestinians from Silwad in Kuwait, and there are also some in South America, especially Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.