Figure 1.--There are some fascinating geological features in Israel, many with historical connectioins. The press acption here read, "Cavern dance: A sandstone cave at Bet Guvrin, Israel, forms a striking background for two oplaying Israeli youngsters recently. One of a series of cavern that seeved in Biblical days as burial tombs, the cave is lovated about 30 miles southeast of Tel Aviv." The photograph was danted January 6, 1976.

Israel is a very small country, but has a fascinating geography, in part so much of it shows up in th Bible. The country is located at the eastern extent of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered in the north by Lebanon, at the northeast by Syria, to the east and southeast by Jordan, and in the southwest by Egypt. To the West is the Mediterranean. he northern point is Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border, the site of an armed clash between Arabs and Jews (1920). The southern most is Elat on the Gulf of Aqaba, an extension of the Red Sea. Elat provides Israel access to the Indian Ocean. Israel is some 470 km (290 miles) in length and about 85 miles (135 km.) across at the widest point, but a mere 15 km (9.3 mi) at its narrowest point. This is in central area. he narrow bamd of land between the Mediterranean and the northern West Bank. Crossing the couuntry at this point can be done in minutes, 90 minutes at the most. Even from north to south you are only talking about a 9 hour drive. For such a small country, Israel has a relatively diverse topography. Mountains and plains as well as fertile land and desert are only minutes apart. There are four major regions is 1) a lengthy Mediterraean coastal plain, 2) highlands in the north, 3) central regions, and 4) the Negev desert of the south. Israel is connected to Africa by the Great Rift Valley. This runs the length of the country from north to south along the eastern border and is the northern terminus of the Valley. More than half of Israel's population lives in the narrow Mediterranean Sea coastal plain. There are beautiful beaches. Israel's most fertile farm land is located in the north round the Sea of Galiee. There are many Biblical references. The Dead Sea east of the West Bank between Israel and Jordan is the lowest point on the surface of the earth at 1,365 feet (416 meters below sea level). The water is so salty and rich in mineral deposits that plants and animals cannot survive there. The water is warm year round making it a popular tourist attraction. The Negev Desert in southern Israel receives only 1 inch (32 mm) of rain a year. So is the Dead Sea between Israel and Jordan. It is the lowest point on the Earth's surface (1,365 feet/416 meters) below sea level. A major issu in Israel is water and Israels have developed impotant water management technologoies. A major issue is that so much water has beentaken from the Jordan River that the Dead Sea is drying up. In a rare cooperationn action, Idrael, the Palestinian Authoruty, and Jordan have created th Red Sea-Dead Sea Project, but progress has stagnated. The extreme south is the Negev Desert. The Negev receives only 1 inch (32 mm) of rain a year. In the north, Galilee is known to have the most fertile farmland in the country.

Created: 1:13 AM 4/5/2021
Last updated: 1:13 AM 4/5/2021