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Hadera-Eiron - a region with challenges and opportunities (photo by David Muskal)
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The Hadera-Eiron Region is situated about 25 miles north of Tel Aviv. It bounds the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and the autonomous Palestinian zone to the east. The region includes the City of Hadera, the Katzir-Harish and Pardes Hanna-Karkur Local Councils, and the Menashe and Alona Regional Councils.
Hadera
Founded in 1891, the City of Hadera now numbers about 80,000 residents, marking an increase of over 90% in the past ten years. 23,000 of the residents are new immigrants, with a large concentration of disadvantaged Ethiopian and Caucus Mountain newcomers. About 20,000 residents are under 18 years of age, and 11,000 are over 65.
The city is spread over an area of approximately 13,250 acres and serves as the regional capital for Israel's northern Sharon area. Hadera's industry is primarily "low-tech".
Pardes Hanna - Karkur
Pardes Hanna (named after Hannah, the daughter of Nathan Rothchild of London) was established in 1929 as an agricultural settlement based mainly on citrus fruit plantations. Karkur was established in 1925 on land purchased by the "London Manor" Society. Pardes Hanna - Karkur presently numbers 30,000 residents, of whom 17% are new immigrants.
Katzir-Harish
The Katzir-Harish Local Council, founded in 1982, incorporates two former kibbutzim which developed into urban localities. Katzir has 2,000 residents and Harish 1,000, with Israel's National Development Plan foreseeing Katzir-Harish's growth to over 50,000 residents. Both localities border the autonomous Palestinian zone. The local council features neighborhoods with upwardly mobile residents, along with neighborhoods featuring a high proportion of new immigrants and socio-economically disadvantaged residents
Menashe Regional Council
The Menashe Regional Council includes ten kibbutzim, seven moshavim and three Arab villages. Of the 12,000 residents, about 10,000 are Jewish. Most of the kibbutz members work at a variety of enterprises owned by the kibbutzim.
Alona Regional Council
The Alona Regional Council includes four moshavim. It numbers 1,000 residents.
Av 5760 - August 2000