Katzrin
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| Katzrin | ||
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| Hebrew | קצרין | |
| Government | Local council | |
| District | North | |
| Population | 6,400 (2004) | |
| Jurisdiction | 12,214 dunams (12.2 km²) | |
Katzrin (Hebrew: קצרין, also spelt Qatzrin or Kazerin) is the administrative center and largest town in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.
The town offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. To the south is the Sea of Galilee, to the north Mount Hermon, and to the west the hills of the Upper Galilee. Katzrin was established in 1977 after the government of Israel decided settling and populating the Golan Heights was of prime importance for Israel. In addition, Katzrin was planned as an urban center that would provide a variety of services to the rural communities and military bases scattered throughout the Golan. In 1981, Israel annexed the Golan Heights (including Katzrin).
As of mid 2005 there are 6,400 people living in Katzrin, almost all of whom are Jewish. The community was planned to grow into a city of 25,000 residents. Katzrin has an educational system and academic centers that serve the residents of the entire region, industrial plants, and facilities of culture and recreation.
Katzrin is a major center of tourism in the Golan Heights due to the historical sites it boasts. One of these is the ancient village of Kisrin (the source of the name "Katzrin"), of the Mishnaic period. The village was destroyed in an eighth century earthquake, but still has archaeological remains of a synagogue, partially reconstructed, and foundations of ancient houses. The Museum of Golan Antiquities displays the archaeological finds uncovered in the Golan.
Katzrin is home to a kosher winery and a mineral water plant. It also has two open air strip malls.
While the headquarters of the Golan Regional Council are located in Katzrin, the town itself does not come under the regional council's jurisdiction, since Katzrin became an independent local council.
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