Beit Shemesh
| |
---|---|
Hebrew transcription(s) | |
• ISO 259 | Beit Šemš |
• Also spelled | Bet Shemesh (official) |
Coordinates: 31°44′44″N 34°59′12″E / 31.74556°N 34.98667°E | |
Country | Israel |
District | Jerusalem District |
Government | |
• Mayor | Shmuel Greenberg[1] |
Area | |
• Total | 34,259 dunams (34.259 km2 or 13.227 sq mi) |
Population (2022)[2] | |
• Total | 154,694 |
• Density | 4,500/km2 (12,000/sq mi) |
Name meaning | House of the sun |
Beit Shemesh (Hebrew: בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ [bet ʃemeʃ]) is a city located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Jerusalem in Israel's Jerusalem District, with a population of 154,694 in 2022.[2]
The city is named after and located near the remains of ancient Beth Shemesh, a biblical city in the territory of Judah.[3] Its ruins can be found today at the archaeological site of Tel Beit Shemesh.