Herzliya (/hɜːrtsˈliːjə/hurts-LEE-yə;Hebrew:הרצליה,pronounced[heʁts(e)liˈja] /[eʁtseˈlija]) is an affluentcity in thecentral coast ofIsrael, at the northern part of theTel Aviv District, known for its robust start-up and entrepreneurial culture. In 2022 it had a population of 106,741.[1] Named afterTheodor Herzl, the founder of modernZionism, Herzliya covers an area of 21.6 square kilometres (8.3 sq mi). Its western, beachfront area is calledHerzliya Pituah and is one of Israel's most affluent neighborhoods and home to numerous embassies, ambassadors' residences, companies headquarters, and houses of prominent Israeli business people.
Herzliya, named afterTheodor Herzl,[2] was founded in 1924 as a semi-cooperative farming community (moshava) with a mixed population of new immigrants and veteran residents. During that year, 101 houses and 35 cowsheds were built there, and the village continued to grow. The1931 census recorded a population of 1,217 inhabitants, in 306 houses.[3]Upon the establishment of the state in 1948, Herzliya was a town of 5,300. Large numbers of immigrants settled there, and it had 12,000 residents within a few years. In 1960, when the population reached 25,000, Herzliya was declared a city.[4]
Under current plans, the city's population will triple to around 290,000 by 2030, with 52,000 new homes and new industrial developments and hotels built, with more dense construction in the city center while expanding the city to the north and southwest.[5]
Herzliya under construction 1920
Herzliya 1942 1:20,000
Herzliya 1945 1:250,000
Herzliya in 1964, with the Central Bus Station in the foreground
According to theIsrael Central Bureau of Statistics, residents of Herzliya are among the wealthiest in Israel. In 2003–2005, average monthly salaries wereILS 8,211, or about ILS 1,500 above average in a survey of Israel's 15 largest cities. However, there is a large gap between the city's seven working-class neighborhoods, among them Yad Tisha, Neve Yisrael and Neve Amal, and upscale Herzliya Pituah. The population is older than that of other cities in the Sharon region: 18% are under 14 years old, compared to a national average of 27.5%.[2]
Investment in education was higher than all other cities in the survey and more high school students were eligible for abagrut matriculation certificate.[2] TheHerzliya Interdisciplinary Center is a private college that was founded in 1994 byProf. Uriel Reichman, who serves as its president to this day.
Israel's largest television and film studio, Herzliya Studios (Ulpanei Herzliya), is located in Herzliya, Also RGE studios that serviced the Kids channel and Sport 5 channel. The IDC television and radio center is located in the city with other local radio stations like Eco99fm and103fm. The Herzliya Marina was built in the 1970s. The city has a smallairport, three shopping malls (Arena Mall, Seven Stars Mall and the Outlet), movie theaters, museums, cultural centers and a stadium. In 2008, theHerzliya Cinematheque[6] opened in the downtown area of the city.[7]
In a 2008 survey of 15 Israeli cities,[which?] Herzliya ranked second in fiscal management. The Herzliya municipality ended 2006 with a sizeable budget surplus.[2]
One of the founders' homes has been turned into a museum Beit Rishonim[8] documenting the history of Herzliya. The Herzliya Museum of Art[9] is part of theYad Labanim memorial complex. West of Herzliya isSidna Ali, a Muslim holy site. To the northwest isTel Arsaf (Arsuf) and the Apollonia National Park. Inhabited from thePersian period until theCrusader period, the site contains the remains of the Crusader town ofArsuf, including a fortress surrounded by a moat.[4] Another archaeological site,Tel Michal, lies on Herzliya's Mediterranean coast 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of Arsuf.[10]
The Herzliya Park. It was established on agricultural fields and open spaces and today it covers about 200 acers. The Herzliya Park is built on the grounds of a local swamp. In the processes of establishing the park, emphasis was placed on preserving the original structure of the area
Since its inception in 2000, theHerzliya Conference has become an annual summit of the most influential Israeli and international leaders. The conference is attended by government ministers, Knesset members, senior defense officials, leaders of the Israeli business community, senior academicians, media representatives from Israel and abroad, delegates of world Jewish organizations, foreign dignitaries and Israeli diplomats.[11]
Herzliya is also home to the City's swimming club - Bnei Herzelia, training children from a young age to adulthood. The Bnei Herzelia swimmers have had enormous success in professional events, especially in open-water swimming.
One of the city's main attractions isSportek Herzliya, an outdoor, 30 acres, sports compound open for public usage.
Some of Israel's most expensive homes and finest beaches are in Herzliya Pituah, a neighborhood on the west side of Herzliya. Herzliya Pituach is a sought-after venue for high-tech companies, and its marina, many restaurants and entertainment spots have turned this part of Herzliya into a vibrant hub of Israeli nightlife.[2]
A makeshift strip located around the currentHerzliya Airport was used as the main operating base of Israel's first true fighter aircraft (as opposed to makeshift use of light planes),Avia S-199, during the1948 Arab–Israeli War. The airfield was used as it was a bit back from the front lines and was clandestine since it was a purpose-built strip, that was constructed after the beginning of hostilities, between the orange orchards around Herzliya, and did not appear on published maps.[12][13]
^Herzog, Ze'ev (1993). "Michal, Tel". In Stern, Ephraim (ed.).The Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Vol. 3. Jerusalem: The Israel Exploration Society, Carta. pp. 1036–1041.ISBN978-965-220-211-6.