1. The name Tel-Aviv (תל-אביב) literally refers to a springtime archeological hill where many civilizations built one on top of another. "To break it down, "Aviv" means "springtime" and "tel" is an archeological hill that is created after people build on top of one another over thousands of years. So now you know that Tel-Aviv is one seriously jam-packed name! The city was dubbed Tel-Aviv in 1910 only after much deliberation, and the actual wording was taken from a passage from the Bible in the Book of Ezekiel: "Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-Abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they asat and remained there astonished among them seven days."
2. Tel Aviv is home to 3.3 million residents. (This is why we need a subway!!!!)
3. Approximately 30,000 migrant workers live in Tel Aviv, 28,840 of them being
asylum seekers.
4. The only form of public transportation Tel Aviv, aside from the train with only 3 TLV stops) is the bus. While there are "service" taxis, these are privately owned.
The bus system in Israel, and specifically in Tel Aviv, has been internationally acclaimed, but no one in Israel is quite sure why because they are always late, the drivers drive like maniacs, and the traffic is atrocious, meaning that simple bus rides can sometimes take hours.
5. Tel Aviv has the world's largest concentration of Bauhaus buildings, which is another reason that it is known as "The White City".
6. The Lonely Planet named Tel Aviv the
3rd hottest city to visit in 2011 (behind NYC and Tangier)!
7. National Geographic named
Tel Aviv the 9th best beach city in the world in 2010. (While I do love the beach, and I think it makes Tel Aviv awesome, the Tel Aviv beaches really aren't the nicest. If you're coming to Israel or Tel Aviv and you want to go to a nice beach, e-mail me. I'll tell you where it's at.)
8. The first, or oldest neighborhood in Tel Aviv is Neve Tzedek- built by Ashkenazi settlers between 1887 and 1896, Neve Tzedek has since been renovated and revived. It is now a chic cultural center that is home to
Suzanne Dellal, Israel's premier dance center; numerous hip bars and restaurants; and historical monuments.
9. Tel Aviv is known as one of the hippest, hottest, funnest and
friendliest destinations for GLBTs! There is even an all gay guest house called the
Pink House.
10. Tel Aviv is considered to be an extremely fashion forward city and was recently featured as the backdrop of an
Urban Outfitters photo shoot.
4. The only form of public transportation Tel Aviv, aside from the train with only 3 TLV stops) is the bus. While there are "service" taxis, these are privately owned. The bus system in Israel, and specifically in Tel Aviv, has been internationally acclaimed, but no one in Israel is quite sure why because they are always late, the drivers drive like maniacs, and the traffic is atrocious, meaning that simple bus rides can sometimes take hours.
10. Tel Aviv is considered to be an extremely fashion forward city and was recently featured as the backdrop of an Urban Outfitters photo shoot.
