City in Galilee, northern Israel, 30 km/19 mi southeast of Haifa; population (1997 est) 55,500. According to the New Testament it was the boyhood home of Jesus. In modern times Nazareth is a commercial centre for the Galilee area and a centre of local government in the Northern District of Israel, as well having a significant tourist industry. Since the late 20th century industries such as vehicle assembly, textiles, and food-processing, have developed in the newer eastern suburbs.
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