Geography of Israel

Israel is a Middle Eastern nation that is situated at the easternmost point of the Mediterranean Sea. Its borders are Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east and southeast, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. The capital and seat of government are both in Jerusalem, however the latter designation has not achieved widespread international recognition.

A long coastal plain, highlands in the north and center, and the Negev desert in the south make up the small nation of Israel's somewhat diversified geography. The northern terminal of the Great Rift Valley spans the entirety of the nation from north to south along its eastern border.

Physical Features

Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan and the West Bank to the east, and Egypt to the southwest are its external borders. Israel's 273 km (170 mi) of coastline, which is mostly made up of the Mediterranean Sea, is to its west, as is the Gaza Strip. Israel has a modest Red Sea shoreline in the south. Approximately 20,770 km2 (8,019 sq. mi) is the size of Israel, including 445 km2 (172 sq. mi) of inland water. Israel's length is 424 kilometers (263 miles) from north to south, while its width is between 114 kilometers (71 miles) and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) at its narrowest.

A 26,352 km2 (10,175 sq.) Exclusive Economic Zone surrounds the country. Despite its small size, Israel has four distinct geographic regions, including the Mediterranean coastal plain, the hill regions of northern and central Israel, the Great Rift Valley, and the Negev, as well as a wide variety of distinctive physical characteristics and microclimates. At its widest point, Israel is about 290 miles (470 km) north-to-south and 85 miles (135 km) east-to-west.

The West Bank is 5,879 km2 (2,270 sq. mi) in size, East Jerusalem is 70 km2 (27 sq. mi), and the Golan Heights is 1,150 km2 (444 sq. mi) in size. Geographical characteristics in these areas will be labeled accordingly. Israel has annexed the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem, a move that has been condemned by the international community. A roughly 115-mile (185-kilometer) long, narrow strip, the coastal plain spreads to around 25 miles (40 kilometers) in the south.

The Mediterranean coastline is bounded by a sandy seashore and numerous beaches. East of the Jordan River, lush farmland is being replaced by expanding agricultural communities, Tel Aviv and Haifa, and their suburbs.

Climate

Israel's unique geography is mostly responsible for the country's vast range of climatic conditions. A chilly, rainy winter (October–April) and a dry, scorching summer (May–September) are the two different seasons. In the summer, sea breezes along the coast have a regulating effect, and the Mediterranean beaches are well-liked.

The annual quantity of precipitation in the Arava Valley, south of the Dead Sea, is just about 1 inch (25 mm), yet it can reach 44 inches (1,120 mm) in the Upper Galilee region in the north. The annual rainfall average in the major cities along the coastal plain is roughly 20 inches (508 mm) each year. During the rainy season, precipitation occurs on around 60 days of the year. Years with late precipitation or below-average rainfall totals result in severe summer water shortages.

Depending on elevation and location, Israel's average yearly temperatures fluctuate, with the Mediterranean Sea coast generally seeing warmer conditions. Likewise, higher elevations, like Upper Galilee, experience sporadic winter snowfall and chilly evenings year-round. The seaside city of Elat in the south, however, is closer to the climate of the Jordan and Arava basins and the Negev, which is hotter and drier than the northern shore, despite being adjacent to the Red Sea.

Flora and Fauna

More than 2,800 plant species have been identified in the world's natural vegetation, which is very diverse. After decades of logging for shipbuilding and clearing land for farming and goat herding, the original evergreen forests, the fabled "cedars of Lebanon," have completely vanished and been replaced with second-growth oak and lesser evergreen conifers. Maquis dominates the hills, which blossom lavishly with wildflowers throughout the rainy season.

In the Negev and on the sand dunes of the coastal plain, only untamed desert vegetation grows. Most of the land north of Beersheba is either cultivated or utilized for hill grazing. Where irrigation is available, food crops, subtropical fruit orchards, and citrus trees all thrive. Through a forestry program, the government has planted millions of trees.

The animal kingdom is also varied. Wildcats, wild boars, gazelles, ibex, jackals, hyenas, hares, coneys, badgers, and tiger weasels are some examples of mammals. Agama geckos, lizards, and vipers like the carpet or saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) stand out among the reptiles. It has been determined that the area is home to more than 400 different bird species, including the partridge, tropical cuckoo, bustard, sand grouse, and desert lark.

Fish and insects come in a variety of varieties, and occasionally desert locusts will infiltrate populated regions. Several areas, including portions of the Ararat in the south, Mount Carmel, Mount Meron, and the ruins of Ula Lake and marshes in the north, have been designated as natural reserves. Jordan, the Arava, and the Mediterranean coast re important routes for migratory birds.

Drainage

Lake Tiberias and the Jordan River make up the main drainage system. Other rivers in Israel include the Qishon, which flows through the western portion of the Plain of Esdraelon to drain into the Mediterranean at Haifa, the Yarqon, which empties into the Mediterranean close to Tel Aviv, and a small portion of the Yarmk, a Jordanian tributary that flows west along the Syrian-Jordanian border. The majority of the remaining streams in the nation run seasonally as wadis and are ephemeral.

The rivers are complemented by a well-tapped, spring-fed subsurface water table. Israel experiences a persistent water scarcity and uses all of its hydraulic resources, with around three-fourths going to irrigation and the remaining portion going to industry and domestic consumption.

Soils

Mostly alluvial soils characterize the coastal plain. Due to its proximity to the coastal plain, parts of the dry northern Negev contain windblown loess soils, where soil development would not be anticipated. Galilee's soils range from calcareous rock in the coastal plain to Cenomanian and Turonian limestone, which were deposited between 99 and 89 million years ago, in the upper part of the territory, and to Eocene formations, which were deposited between 55 and 35 million years ago, in the lower half of the area. The Great Rift Valley is awash with gypsum and rock salt. Granite veins can be found in the sandstone rock that makes up the southern Negev.

Conclusion

Israel's coastal plain, hills, Great Rift Valley, and Negev desert are what define its varied landscape. The country experiences a wide variety of weather patterns, from a frigid, rainy winter to a dry, hot summer. Although the renowned "cedars of Lebanon" have been replaced by second-growth forests, Israel's flora still contains a variety of plant species. In addition to mammals like wildcats, gazelles, and ibex, the animal world also includes a wide variety of birds, reptiles, and insects.

Israel's soils range from alluvial soils in the coastal plain to loess soils in the northern Negev and different rock formations in other places. The Jordan River and Lake Tiberias serve as the country's primary drainage system. Water scarcity is a problem because so much of it is required for agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Israel located?

Israel is located in West Asia, at the easternmost point of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.

What are the major geographic regions of Israel?

Israel consists of a coastal plain, highlands in the north and center, the Great Rift Valley, and the Negev desert in the south.

How is Israel's climate characterized?

Israel experiences a cold, rainy winter and a hot, dry summer, with varying sea breezes and rainfall patterns. The climate differs based on location and elevation.

What is the flora and fauna of Israel like?

Israel's flora includes diverse plant species, with some original forests replaced by second-growth forests. The animal kingdom is rich, featuring mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects.

What forms the main drainage system of Israel?

The Jordan River and Lake Tiberias are the main components of Israel's drainage system,