Petah-Tikva (פתח-תקוה, also transliterated as Petach Tikva, Petaḥ Tiqwa or Petach Tiqwa) is a city in the west of the Center District of Israel Israel, north-east of Tel Aviv. Petah-Tikva is the second largest industrialised city in Israel (after Haifa). As of 2003 its population was 173,700

Its industries produce textiles, metal works, wood industry, plastics, processed foods, tires and other rubber products, and soap. In the last years many Hi-tech enterpises moved to Petah-Tikva's industrial zone.

There are extensive citrus groves on the outskirts, and building stone is quarried nearby.

Petah-Tikva was founded in 1878 by former residents of Jerusalem, hoping to escape the cramped quarters of Jerusalem's walls. It was the first modern Jewish agricultural settlement in Palestine and has since grown to become one of Israel's most populous urban centres.

Petah-Tikva is a sister city of Chicago in the United States.

External links

• Town's main web site (Hebrew): http://www.petah-tikva.muni.il/
• Town's English page http://www.petah-tikva.muni.il/htmls/english/municipality.html