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.
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.