Tuqu '(in Arabic, تقوع, in Hebrew, תקוע) is a Palestinian city in the governorate of Bethlehem, located 12 km southeast of the city of Bethlehem, in the West Bank. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the population of Tuqu 'was 8,881 inhabitants in 2007.
Archeology and MonumentsThe tomb of Amos is in the village and after a few years after his death it became sacred. The Byzantines devised a church around 300 AD in his honor, through their remains visible today.
On the outskirts of the Tuqu is the Wadi Khreiton ("Chariton Valley"). The valley is characterized by 3 inhabited caves from the Palaeolithic period, Qatfa Umm, Umm al-Ahmar Qala'a and ERQ. The latter has been inhabited since 8000 BC and traces of fire were found in Umm Qala'a, which dates back 500,000 years. In the nearby village of Khirbet Tuqu ', there are the remains of a Byzantine church and a monastery. Demography
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics of Palestine in 1997 Tuqu 'had a population of 4,890 inhabitants. There were only 24 Palestinian refugees, representing 0.5% of the population. There were 2,534 men and 2,356 women. In 2004, the total population of Tuqu 'has risen to 6,265, and in 2006 there was an estimated population of 6,669 inhabitants. Most of the Christian inhabitants of the Tuqu 'had emigrated in Bethlehem, in the eighteenth century, so Tuqu' currently has a Muslim majority. Economy
In 2006, 65% of villagers took construction work in Israel, 20% agriculture, 8% and 7% in operations in government sectors. Efforts have been made to attract tourists. A community center was built near the ruins of a Byzantine church in Tuqu '. The town is known for its vegetables.
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