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INTRODUCTION
Israel is a republic situated in West Asia and is surrounded on three sides by Arab countries.
Location of Israel
Israel is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The north of Israel is bound by Lebanon, the northeast by Syria, the east by Jordan, and the southwest by Egypt. The southernmost tip of the country extends to the Gulf of Aqaba, a channel of the Red Sea.
Climate of Israel
The Climate of Israel is typically Mediterranean in nature with cool, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. Temperatures vary considerably with elevation, exposure to the sea, and predominant winds. January is normally the coldest month and August the warmest.
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Flora And Fauna of Israel
Israel has about 2,500 species of plants, out of which the majority is xerophytic in nature, i.e., capable of surviving prolonged dry spells. Agricultural products include citrus fruits, bananas, cotton, tobacco, grapes, dates, figs, olives, almonds, and avocados. Though original evergreen forests have been victim of deforestation, millions of new trees have been planted under reforestation program and today, natural woodlands and reforested areas cover 6 percent of the land. There are many species of animals, including 100 species of mammals like wild boars, gazelles, ibexes, jackals, hyenas, wildcats, and badgers. There are about 380 species of birds, including about 100 migratory birds. Partridges, cuckoos, bustards, sand grouses, and desert larks are also found in Israel. A variety of reptiles, fishes, and insects also inhabit Israel.
Physical Map of Israel
The mountains of Galilee region dominate the northern section of Israel. South of Galilee lies the Plain of Esdraelon, a densely populated and productive agricultural region which runs 55 km long and 25 km wide. The plain runs across Israel from the vicinity of Haifa on the Mediterranean coast to the Jordan River, which forms Israel's eastern border. The coastal plains, containing most of Israel's large cities, industry, and commerce, extend 195 km along the Mediterranean from just north of Haifa to Gaza. The Judean and Samarian hills run north and south throughout most of Israel. The Negev is a triangular desert region in southern Israel extending north from the Gulf of Aqaba to a line connecting the southern end of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean, passing to the north of the city of Beersheba.
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