Cities in the State of Palestine: 16 Governorates/Urban Centers

The State of Palestine (recognized by 139 UN members) administratively comprises 16 governorates, each centered on a principal city/town:

1. Jenin (North West Bank)
2. Tubas (North East)
3. Nablus (Central West Bank — largest city)
4. Salfit (Central)
5. Tulkarm (North West)
6. Qalqilya (North West)
7. Jericho (Jordan Valley — oldest city)
8. Ramallah & al-Bireh (Central — de facto administrative capital)
9. Jerusalem (Al-Quds) * — East Jerusalem claimed as capital; under Israeli occupation since 1967.
10. Bethlehem (South)
11. Hebron (Al-Khalil) (South — largest population)
12. North Gaza * (Gaza Strip)
13. Gaza * (Gaza City — largest in Strip)
14. Deir al-Balah * (Central Gaza)
15. Khan Yunis * (South Gaza)
16. Rafah * (South Gaza — border with Egypt)

* = Under Israeli military occupation since 1967; Palestinian Authority administration limited (West Bank Areas A/B) or none (Gaza, East Jerusalem, Area C).

Notes

• List follows Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) governorate structure.
• "City" definition varies; some governorates contain multiple urban localities.
• Israeli settlements (illegal under international law) exist throughout West Bank/East Jerusalem.