Time Zone |
Asia/Jerusalem |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Time Zone |
Africa/Niamey |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Located on the Mediterranean coast of southern Israel, Ashkelon is the capital of the Ashkelon district, about 13 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. The city has a history of more than 3,000 years and was once an important port for the ancient Philistines, and is mentioned many times in the Bible.
Ashkelon National Park preserves archaeological sites from the Canaanite, Philistine, Greek and Roman periods, including ancient walls, tombs and Roman colonnades. The city boasts beautiful beaches and coastal walks, making it a popular vacation destination in Israel.
Today Ashkelon has a population of about 150,000 and an economy based on industry, tourism and agriculture. The city has an excellent infrastructure with hospitals, shopping centers and higher education institutions, as well as a rocket protection system due to its unique location next to Gaza.
Diffa, the capital of the Diffa region in southeastern Niger, is located on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert and shares a border with Nigeria, making it one of the most important border cities in Niger. The city is located in the lower Niger River basin around the climate of the tropical desert climate, hot and dry throughout the year, the average annual precipitation is less than 300 millimeters. The economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry, and the surrounding areas are rich in millet, sorghum and livestock. Diffa, as a regional trade center, undertakes the function of cross-border trade with neighboring countries, such as Nigeria, and is especially famous for the trade of livestock, agricultural products and handicrafts. The city is culturally diverse, with Hausa, Tuareg and Kanuri ethnic groups living in the area, and is unique in its crafts such as traditional leather weaving and silversmithing. Despite infrastructural challenges, Diffa remains an important economic and cultural node in the south-east of the Niger, thanks to its strategic location and rich cultural heritage.