Tuesday, 30 October 2018

Geography and Topography of Palestine

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Geography and Topography of Palestine


The proximity of Israel to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Desert has greatly influenced her topography.
A. Topography

The entire topography of Palestine can be divided into 5 major longitudinal zones moving from west to east:
1.   Coastal Plain:
Stretches almost 193km, from Rosh HaNiqra in the north to Nahal Besor, south of Gaza and is close to the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore it receives about 25 – 16 inches rainfall per year. Natural springs and wells were also important sources of water. The plain is divided into 4 sub-regions: Plain of Acco, Coast of Dor, Sharon Plain and Philistine Plain. Consists mostly of rolling hills covered with fertile alluvial soils. The most favoured travel route commercially and militarily – The International North-South Route ran along this plain. Grain crops were cultivated in this plain during winter and spring months.
2.   Central Mountain Range:
This mountain range runs from Galilee in the north to Negev in the South. It is made up of harder limestones. The erosion of these limestones causes the formation of deep valleys and cliffs. As a result the roads generally tended to follow ridges. It receives about 20 – 40 inches of rainfall per year. Wheat, olives and grapes are cultivated here. The important route in this region was the road along the north-south watershed ridge between Schechem and Hebron.
3.   The Rift Valley:
This is a depression that runs about 415 km, from Dan in the north to Elath in the South. It receives around 24 in. rainfall in the North and about 2 in. rainfall in the south. The Jordan River, Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are situated in this region. The Jordan River flows out from the southeast corner of the Sea of Galilee and flows down into the Dead Sea. Elath, which is situated at the southernmost part of the Rift Valley, was the gateway to Arabia, Africa and India.
4.   Transjordan Mountains:
They are situated to the east of the Rift Valley and stretch from Mount Hermon in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south. The western slope of these mountains is very steep while the eastern slopes taper gradually into the Arabian Desert. This  region can be divided into 4 sections:
·      The Bashan:
Situated in the North and consists of rich soil derived from the volcanic debris from the extinct volcanos.
·      Gilead:
 Situated to the south of Bashan and is divided in 2 equal parts by the Jabbok River. Comprises mainly of harder Cenomanian limestones. Its an ideal area for cultivation of wheat, olives and grapes.
·      Moab:
Situated to the south of Gilead, this old territory of Moabites is bisected by the Arnon River that flows into the Dead Sea. The area to the north of Arnon River is a plateau area called Mishor. To the south of Arnon River we can find limestone, chalk and multicoloured layers of Nubian sandstone. Since this region receives low rainfall, agriculture is not much undertaken.
The major road in this region was the Transjordanian Highway which connected Damascus and countries in Arabia and passed through many important cities. The southern portion of the highway, near Heshbon, was called the ‘King’s Highway’.
5.   The Eastern Desert:
This vast desert expanse had great volcanic mountains in the north. It stretches around 725 km towards the Euphrates River and receives negligible rainfall.
6.   Fertile Crescent: It includes three main regions and those are (i) Mesopotamia, which is the location of Assyria and Babylon the Euphrates river, (ii) Egypt, the southernmost section along the Nile river valley and (iii) the land of Canaan. The Fertile Crescent is also called as the cradle of civilization because of its distinct boundaries.


B.  Climate & Seasons:

There were only 2 main season that this region experienced and they were separated by the transitional months.
1.   The Dry Season (Summer):
This period ranges from mid-June through mid-September. During the dry season the days used to be warm and nights cool. The average daytime high could be around 30o C and night-time average low would be around 18o C. The days are usually cloudless and temperatures soar till noon and start falling as the cool breeze from the west begins to blow. This season sees the ripening of crops such as grapes, figs, pomegranates, melons etc. the summer dew and deep root systems are used to provide moisture to the crops. Most of the fruits are harvested in August and September. Since the soil is dry, it is easy to travel during this season.
2.   The Rainy Season (Winter):
This period ranges from mid-October through April and consists of rain storms. The amount of rainfall varies throughout the country. The average daily temperature is around 10o C. There are also instances of light snowfall in some areas like Jerusalem. Farming is initiated during December and the crops grow from December to February during which 75% of the rain falls. Thus it was essential for the rains to come on time or else the growth of the crops would be affected leading to instances of famine as well as drought in the country.
3.   The Transitional Seasons:
There are 2 main transitional seasons:
·      The 1st transitional season lasts from early May to mid-June. During this time, the temperatures rise gradually with a series of hot, dry, dusty days during which winds blow from the eastern and southern deserts. During these days, the temperatures often rise 14o C above normal. These conditions weaken humans as well as beasts mentally and dry up the flowers and grasses. However these hot winds assist the crops to ripen. During this period wheat and barley harvest takes place.
·      The 2nd transitional season which is from mid-September to mid-October marks the end of summer and the period of fruit harvest.
C. Trade Route
Palestine had three important trade routes—
           i.         The Way of the Sea,
         ii.         The Ridge Route, and
       iii.         The King’s Highway.
This facilitated commerce between Anatolia, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, but the downside was it provided invasion routes for competing powers.
The coastal route along the eastern Mediterranean was known as the "Way of the Sea", or from the Latin, Via Maris from the Latin. The road was a main trade route connecting Egypt with Anatolia and Mesopotamia.
The Ridge Route, along connecting mountain tops in the interior, ran along the central mountain ridge. To its east were deep wadi valleys leading to the Jordan Valley and the Arabah (Aravah). To its west were the foothills leading to the Mediterranean Sea (anciently the Great Sea).
The King’s Highway, the valley route, traverses the eastern tableland. Its name comes from the road linking th
e capitals of Edom (Sela), Moab (Kir-moab), and Ammon (Rabbath-ammon). Several east-west routes connect the Coastal Plain and the King’s Highway. One of major importance begins on the Via Maris at Aphek and goes to Shechem and then to Jericho and Rabbath-ammon.

D. Economic Staples

Whether it was conducted through sea trade or land routes, ancient Israel's economy relied on commodities native to its geographical region, especially its metals and olives. The Israelites also transformed their native resources into other valuable goods, such as weapons and jewelry made from the silver or bronze found in their mountain ranges. As a result of having these resources so close at hand, many Israelites made their profession through crafting. Much of ancient Israel's economy relied on either laborers like those who worked the fields or herded sheep, or on crafters who could work the metals and the native clay.

E.  Settling Down

The geography of ancient Israel included both desert landscapes and fertile regions. Those who settled near fertile regions, such as on the maritime plain or in the mountain valleys, were able to establish permanent settlements and grow food. With much of ancient Israel consisting of desert and rocky areas, many Israelites relied on herding animals for food and income rather than farming. They wandered from place to place looking for grasslands, rather than putting down roots in any one place.
           i.         Agriculture and Crops
The agricultural ways of the Ancient Israelite’s was very complex in structure. The Ancient Israel people had a schedule or timetable of when plants we're to be planted and when to be harvested.To water the crops Ancient Israel people had to make irrigation systems. The people ran water from the river to a water holder system. Then they used a shaduf, which is a large pole on a crossbeam,a rope and a bucket on the end, and a heavy rock on one side. By pulling the string the water would run into the bucket and it would water all or the crops. Also Ancient Israel people domesticated animals such as pigs,goat,ducks,cows,geese,oxen,and donkeys. Not only did that animals supply food but they also helped the farmers pull the plows eat weeds & supply drinks.

         ii.         Daily Diet

Ancient Israelites had a varied diet, depending on where they lived. Those who herded sheep and goats relied heavily on milk and cheese, while those who settled in agricultural areas could grow olive trees and grapes. Barley, wheat, lentils and nuts were common staples of the ancient Israeli diet. Those who couldn't grow these items could trade for them with cheese and milk. Because Israel bordered the Mediterranean Sea, fish also became an important staple of the daily diet.


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Author: verified_user