HAIFA

n.

ancient Sycaminum

City (pop., 2001: 270,500) and chief port, northwestern Israel.

Located on the Bay of Haifa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it is first mentioned in the Talmud ( 0441; 1st–4th century AD). Conquered in 1100 by Christian Crusaders, it was taken by Napoleon I in 1799 and by Egyptian Gen. Ibr 0101; h 012B; m Pasha in 1839. Occupied by British forces in 1918, it became part of mandated Palestine . It came under Israeli control in 1948, during the first Arab-Israeli war . Situated on the northern slopes of Mount Carmel, with the exception of its port section on the bay, it is a tourist resort and a commercial centre. Haifa is the world headquarters of the Bah 0101; 012B; faith .