Bethlehem is a historic city in the central West Bank, about 8–10 km (5–6 miles) south of Jerusalem in the hill country of Judea. It is part of the Palestinian territories and is especially known in Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus and in the Hebrew Bible as the city of King David.

Basic location facts

  • Bethlehem lies in the Judaean Hills, roughly 5 miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem.
  • It is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank, about 10 km south of Jerusalem.
  • The city sits at about 775 meters above sea level, slightly higher than nearby Jerusalem.

Regional context

  • Bethlehem is in the Judean Mountains region, within the broader area commonly referred to as the West Bank.
  • It is around 73 km northeast of Gaza City and the Mediterranean Sea, and about 59–75 km from major regional cities like Tel Aviv (Israel) and Amman (Jordan).

Historical and religious importance

  • Bethlehem is traditionally identified as the birthplace of Jesus, and the Church of the Nativity there has been a major pilgrimage site since the 4th century.
  • The Hebrew Bible associates Bethlehem with King David and his family, adding to its religious and historical significance for Jews and Christians.

TL;DR: Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the West Bank, in the Judaean Hills about 8–10 km south of Jerusalem, world-famous as the traditional birthplace of Jesus and the city of King David.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.