Jericho

Jericho claims the title of world's oldest continuously inhabited city, with archaeological evidence of settlement dating to 9000 BCE—a 11,000-year path dependency that made this Jordan Valley oasis a trading hub before recorded history. Today's city of 25,000 sits 258 meters below sea level, the lowest city on Earth, relying on spring water that enabled agriculture when surrounding land was desert. Under full Palestinian Authority control (Area A), Jericho developed relative stability that attracted casinos, resorts, and winter tourism from Gulf states escaping summer heat. The 2024 economic crisis devastated this model: hotel occupancy dropped 84%, tourism losses exceeded $1 billion across the West Bank, and movement restrictions cut Jericho from its traditional role as gateway between Jordan and Palestinian markets. The city's agricultural economy—dates, bananas, citrus enabled by year-round growing conditions—persists but faces water scarcity as Israeli wells tap the shared aquifer. GDP per capita across Palestinian territories fell to $2,592 in 2024, back to 2008 levels. By 2026, Jericho's recovery depends on border crossing access to Jordan and whether regional tourism can resume amid ongoing conflict.