7,000 Years Ago: Archaeological sites in the Eilot region indicate scattered agricultural settlements, with intensive copper mining activity in Timna, north of Eilat.
3,000 years ago, the fleets of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon sailed through the Red Sea trade-routesconnecting Jerusalem & Africa.
For thousands of years control remained mainly in the hands of nomadic war-lords, camel-caravan traders & smugglers, interspersed with desert empires such as the Nabateans.
In 1916 Lawrence of Arabia, leading a camel-mounted Bedouin force, marched on the Turkish fortress city of Aqaba, capturing it and bringing the whole area under British Control.
1948: The State of Israel is established after being attacked by all its neighbors.
March 1949: Negev and Golani Brigades raise the flag at Um Rash Rash. Eilat becomes part of the new State of Israel.
1950-52: First Settlers – Eilat Municipal Council established.
1956: October: Sinai Campaign – Straits of Tiran opened, Eilat Port established & Eilat becomes Israel's gateway to the Orient.
January 1958: Beer-Sheba- Eilat road completed.
|
|
March 1959: Eilat is officially recognised as a town with 6,000 residents.
May 1967: Egyptians blockade Eilat's southern sea-access route - Straits of Tiran.
June 1967: Straits opened after 6 Day War .Sinai captured: Tourism to Eilat and Sinai.
1969: New Highway from Eilat to Sharm-El Sheikh - 13,000 Residents.
October 1973: Yom Kippur War – Shipping re-opens after Egyptian blockade
January 1975: First direct European Charter Flights – Tourism Upswing
November 1985: Eilat - Tax Free Trade Zone.
April 1989: Taba returned to Egyp. Border is fixed.
October 1994: Israel, Jordan Peace-Treaty signed on the border crossing.
1999, Eilat Celebrates 50 Years: Population now 55,000. Some 9,000 hotel guest rooms and the town is growing as an attractive international tourist resort.
|
