| Ofakim | ||
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  Ofakim
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| District | South | |
| Government | City | |
| Hebrew | אֳפָקִים, אופקים | |
| Name meaning | Horizons | |
| Population | 24,700 (2007) | |
| Area | 10,273 dunams (10.273 km2; 3.966 sq mi) | |
| Mayor | Zvika Greengold | |
| Coordinates | 31°17′N 34°37′E / 31.283°N 34.617°ECoordinates: 31°17′N 34°37′E / 31.283°N 34.617°E | |
Ofakim (Hebrew: אֳפָקִים), (lit. "horizons") is a city in southern Israel, 20 kilometers west of Beersheba. It was founded as a development town on April 19, 1955.
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Contents
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History
Ofakim was established as a regional center for the rural communities in the area. The early residents were immigrants from North Africa and India. [1]
Demographics
According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), at the end of 2007 the city had a population of 24,700.[2] In 2001, the ethnic makeup of the city was 99.7% Jewish and other non-Arab, with no significant Arab population. There were 11,200 males and 11,800 females - 41.8% 19 years of age or younger, 14.5% between 20 and 29, 18.5% between 30 and 44, 12.5% from 45 to 59, 3.6% from 60 to 64, and 9.1% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 0.6%.
Economy
In 2000, there were 5,655 salaried workers and 300 self-employed. The mean monthly wage for a salaried worker was NIS 3,728, a real change of 7.5% over the course of 2000. Salaried males had a mean monthly wage of NIS 4,761 (a real change of 10.1%) versus NIS 2,744 for females (a real change of 2.2%). The mean income for the self-employed was 4,776. There were 526 people receiving unemployment benefits and 3,538 receiving an income supplement.
Education
There are 19 schools and 4,704 students in the city - 13 elementary schools (3,079 students), and 8 high schools (1,625 students). 43.3% of 12th grade students were entitled to a matriculation certificate in 2001.
Sports
One of Israel's 14 tennis centers is located in Ofakim. It opened in 1990 and has six courts. The city also has a soccer stadium.
Development plans
A train station is slated to open in 2010 with a car park for 1,000 cars, and an old industrial building is being converted into an art museum. [3]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ofakim |
- ^ [1] New Horizons for Ofakim
- ^ "Table 3 - Population of Localities Numbering Above 1,000 Residents and Other Rural Population". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 2008-06-30. http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2009/table3.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ [2] New Horizons for Ofakim
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