Beersheba metropolitan area

Beersheba metropolitan area (Hebrew: מטרופולין באר שבע) is a metropolitan area in Israel that encompasses the Beersheba and Southern Districts of Israel. It is located in the Negev desert and constitutes the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country, with an estimated population of over 377,100.

Beersheba metropolitan area
Beersheba is the eighth largest city in Israel and the centre of the fourth largest metropolitan area in Israel.
Coordinates: 31°14′59.15″N 34°47′59.07″E
Population  (2016)
• Total	377,100
• Density	556.8/km2 (1,442/sq mi)

Rahat

Metropolitan rings

Israel Central Bureau of Statistics divides the Beersheba metropolitan area into two areas:

Metropolitan rings in the Beersheba metropolitan area

Metropolitan ring	Localities	Population (2016 estimate)				Population density (per km2)	Annual Population growth rate
		Total	Jews and others1	Thereof: Jews	Arabs
Core2	1	205,800	200,800	180,300	5,000	1,752	1.1%
Outer Ring3	32	171,300	38,300	37,700	133,000	306	3.4%
Northern Section	12	90,000	12,700	12,400	77,300	292	3.4%
Eastern Section	8	71,500	15,800	15,500	55,800	562.3	3.5%
Western Section	12	9,800	9,800	9,700	0	78.6	3.6%
Total	33	377,100	239,000	217,900	138,100	556.8	2.1%

Notes

• ¹ The population of "Jews and others" incl. Jews, non-Arab Christians and those not classified by religion.
• ² Includes the city of Beersheba.
• ³ Includes the cities Rahat, the local councils Lehavim, Omer and Tel Sheva, as well as many smaller towns (local councils).

Transportation

Transit

Rail service connects the Beersheba metropolitan area with Ashkelon, Tel Aviv and Haifa. Bus service connects to Eilat, Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.

Major highways

• Highway 40
• Highway 25
• Highway 31
• Highway 60
• Highway 80

See also

• List of cities in Israel