Hadera

This city is located 12 kilometers south of Zichron Ya'acov. It was established in 1891 and derives it's name from the Arabic al-Khadra' ("the Green") - a reference to the color of the swamp vegetation in the area.

The lands on which Hadera was established were purchased by Yehoshua Hankin, who was known as the Redeemer of the Valley.

Initially, this was a lonely outpost of just 10 families and 4 guards. But with time - others followed.

In addition to the type of regular hardships encountered by settlers throughout Eretz Israel - here the settlers had to contend with officials of the hardnosed Turkish government. They also withstood repeated attacks by local Bedouin tribes.

Settlers received permission to build the first homes in 1896. They also started planting Eucalyptus trees - to help dry the swamps. However, there was in fact an outbreak of Malaria and most of the residents had no choice but to leave. Many went to Jaffa.

In 1931 Hadera had 2002 residents. The real growth period (for this city, which is located on the coast, halfway between Tel-Aviv and Haifa) came after the establishment of the state. In 2000 - the city had a population of 80,000.