Page 40 - Purple Butterfly Book 2

Date:
unit 5
4. Extension to Social Studies The Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip is one of many areas that make up Palestine. It has a population of about 1,710,000 people, but it has the 6th highest population growth rate in the world. Its only 5 miles wide, but has 25 miles long. It is located in the Middle East, between Israel and Egypt. It has mild, calm winters, and dry, hot summers. Its terrain is mostly sand covered plains.
Most of its economy comes from small family businesses that make cloth, woodcarvings, soap, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs. Its major exports are flowers, textiles, and citrus while its major imports are construction materials and food. Its currency is the New Israeli shekel (or ILS), which is worth about a third of an American dollar.
The main languages spoken are Arabic and Hebrew, but many people know English as well.
The government of the Gaza Strip is the Hamas, a Palestinian party, which has ruled since 2007.
The main religions are Muslim (98.7% of the
population is Muslim), Christian (0.7% of the population) and Jewish (0.6% of the population).
In 2012, Gaza Strip was recognized as a part of the State of Palestine by the UN, and claimed by the Palestinian government, but since then the joining of Palestine and Gaza administrations have failed.
Gaza’s ownership has been in a tug-of-war for as long as it has existed. It was originally part of the Ancient Egyptian region Canaan, and was a well-known trading center for the European, North African, and European markets.
Its strategic location has made it a very wanted territory which is why many battles have been fought to control it.
unit
5
38