Ramat Gan

Ramat Gan is a city in the Tel Aviv District of Israel which borders the cities of Tel Aviv, Giv'atayim, and Bnei Brak. The suburban city houses Israel's national soccer stadium, Bar-Ilan University, an advanced medical center, and a national park. It is also the home of one of the world's major diamond exchanges, in which Israel's tallest office tower is located.

Ramat Gan was established in 1921 as a moshav, a communal settlement, with a focus on agriculture. After commercial and population expansion, it was declared a city in 1950. As of 2004, Ramat Gan had 127,400 residents, on an area of 12,000 dunams (12 km²). The population was growing at a rate of 0.7% per annum.

According the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, as of 2001, Ramat Gan's socioeconomic ranking stood at 8 out of 10 (high). 70.9% of twelfth grade students received a matriculation certificate in 2000. In that year, the average wages in Ramat Gan were 6,995 NIS.

History

When Ramat Gan was established in 1921 on land purchased in 1918, it was known as a moshav, a socialist-style Zionist settlement. Before the name Ramat Gan was coined in 1923, the settlement was called Ir Ganim (Hebrew: עיר גנים, meaning Garden City).

As the years passed, Ramat Gan shifted from an agriculture-based economy to a more commercial and urban settlement. In 1926, the British Mandate of Palestine recognized Ramat Gan as a local municipality.

In 1950, Ramat Gan was recognized by the nascent State of Israel as a city. The city infrastructure grew steadily, as new structures such as Sheba Medical Center, the national stadium, Bar Ilan University, and the Diamond Exchange were developed.

True to its name, 25% of Ramat Gan is covered by public parkland. The city also includes Kfar haMaccabiah where the Maccabiah Games, the Jewish Olympics, are held every 4 years.

Twin Cities

The city has had a great relationship with Weinheim since 1999, and exchange programs take place each year.

The Diamond Exchange Compound

This area, in the northwest of the city, is home to a large concentration of skyscrapers, including City Gate, Israel's tallest at over 240 meters, the Diamond Exchange (a world leader in fancy-cut diamonds, a large Sheraton hotel, and many high-tech businesses. Unfortunately, the area transforms nightly into the region's center of prostitution and unlawful gambling.

Future Plans

In March 2006, American property tycoon Donald Trump, announced plans to build what will become Israel's tallest building in the city. Trump Plaza Tower is a 70 story tower set to be built on the site of the historic Elite Candy factory. As a tribute to the history of the site, the lower floors of the tower are planned to house a chocolate museum. Source. The tower is set to contain luxury apartments, with an average price tag of USD 1 million each.

Born in Ramat Gan

Tal Stricker (*1979), Israeli breaststroke swimmer
Ilan Ramon (*1954), First Israeli Astronaut; died in the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster in 2003.

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