Natural and geographical conditions of Palestine. Natural conditions of ancient Palestine What were the climatic conditions in ancient Palestine

Seal "Shema, servants of Jeroboam"

Palestine stretches from the southern foothills of Lebanon to the northern borders of the Arabian Desert. In the west it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, and in the east it borders on the Syrian-Mesopotamian steppe. The territory of Palestine is extremely small and reaches only about 26 thousand. sq. km. Geographically, Palestine is easily divided into four parts: the coast, the plateau west of the Jordan, the Jordan Valley, and the plateau east of the Jordan. The southern part of the coast has fertile soil, irrigated by many rivers. Here, in ancient times, agriculture developed significantly. A large trade route from Egypt to Syria passed through this area. The Saronian lowland, which was sometimes called the "Garden of Eden", was especially distinguished for its fertility. Some of the interior regions of Western Palestine are no less fertile. Such is the Jericho Plain, perfectly irrigated by the Wadi Kelt. Thanks to the hot climate and the abundance of moisture, even the date palm grows here.

To the west of the northern part of the Jordan Valley, Galilee stretches with its valleys, plains and mountain slopes, well-watered by mountain springs and streams. This part of Palestine was favorable for the development of an agricultural economy and was densely populated in ancient times, as evidenced by the numerous ruins of ancient cities. Some areas to the east of the Jordan were also distinguished by great fertility. Such is the country of Bashan, which in ancient times was famous for its agricultural products. However, not all parts of Palestine were suitable for the development of agricultural economy. Along with fertile plains, there are plateaus, mountainous areas and dry steppes. These are, for example, the mountainous regions located in the southern part of Western Palestine, which the ancient Jews called "Mount Ephraim" and "Mount Judah." The area here gradually turns into a dry steppe, where the population was mainly engaged in cattle breeding. The poorly fertile and poorly irrigated plateaus of Eastern Palestine also provided more facilities for the development of livestock than for agriculture. The Jordan Valley was distinguished by its special natural conditions. In some of its parts, such as, for example, near Lake Gennesaret, the Jordan Valley was fertile and convenient for agriculture, but for almost its entire length it was a narrow strip of land overgrown with reeds and was a wild jungle inhabited by predatory animals. Therefore, the Jordan Valley was a kind of barrier, sharply separating Western Palestine from the eastern part of this country.

The natural wealth of Palestine is insignificant. In the eastern part of Palestine and in its southern part in ancient times there were forests, but these were more groves or shrubs than forests in the literal sense of the word. Tall trees were rare here and were considered the abode of a deity. The timber and mast timber had to be brought from neighboring countries. Palestine did not have its own metal ore. The nearest copper mines were in the mountains of Lebanon and in the country of Edom, located southeast of Palestine, as well as near the Gulf of Aqab, where ancient copper mines were discovered. The soil of Palestine was rich in clay, an excellent ceramic raw material used to make vessels and bricks. Various types of stone were used to build fortress and city walls, as well as large buildings.

Per Lebanese mountains, east of the cities Phenicia ancient fertile lands lay. There were two northern rivers - Oronte carried its waters from south to north and flowed into the Mediterranean Sea and the south - Jordan, plunged from north to south and fell into a huge salt lake - The Dead Sea. The valley of Orontes and the surrounding lands have been named since ancient times Syria, and the Greeks called the Jordan basin and the vicinity of the Dead Sea Palestine ... Phenicia, Palestine and Syria, the three countries of the Eastern Mediterranean in Antiquity were called Canaan together. Due to its geographical location, the region of South Canaan - Palestine, became a zone of interaction between the largest states of Antiquity. The most important caravan routes passed here - from Egypt to Asia Minor and Mesopotamia and back. In addition, a very important trade route from Europe to Asia passed through these lands. Both peaceful trade caravans and the armies of the conquerors passed along these routes. The rich country has attracted conquerors in all epochs of its many thousands of years of history.

Jordan, a deep but narrow river, compared to the great Euphrates, the Tigris and even more so the Nile, the Jordan may seem like a stream. therefore in Palestine, there were no conditions for the creation of an irrigation network and a developed agricultural economy. To the west of the Jordan River, the lands of Palestine rose into highlands. Oases and fertile valleys were located near the slopes of the mountains. To the east was a mountainous region covering the historical regions of Palestine - Galilee, Samaria and Judea. Farming early on the slopes of the mountains and in the valleys became possible here, and cattle breeding was also very developed. South of the Jordan was the famous Dead Sea, with the scorched sun, almost lifeless shores.

Dense thickets of forest and bushes framed the banks of the Jordan; but this deep river basin did not become, like other river valleys in neighboring countries, the country's vital artery; rather, it served as a barrier between its western and eastern halves. Beyond the Jordan there are steppes - the further east, the drier, turning into Syrian desert.

In northern Palestine, the often snow-covered peaks of the Lebanese mountains rise. In the extreme south, Palestine turns into a dry mountainous semi-desert, stretching towards the mountains Sinai Peninsula... A dry, deserted strip of lowlands occupies the isthmus that separates Palestine from Egypt. The steppe and semi-desert areas have been the habitat of pastoralist tribes since ancient times, who now and then invaded the oases.

Ancient sources call Canaan a country "flowing with milk and honey," and honey means date juice. The ancient scrolls list seven grains and fruits that the country is rich in: "wheat, barley, grapes, fig, pomegranate, olive and honey." The earliest evidence of Canaan agriculture is found in egyptian narration of the noble Sinuhet (XX century BC). This is what Sinukhet writes about how he came to “… A beautiful land, in which there were figs and grapes, more wine than water; great abundance of honey, many olives and all kinds of fruits on the trees. There were both wheat and barley, and a great many different cattle ... I baked bread every day, had wine all the time, as well as boiled meat and fried birds, not counting the desert antelopes ... ”.

There were also minerals in Palestine. Small deposits of copper in the extreme south began to be developed from the X century BC. Much earlier, already in the middle of the third millennium BC. began to extract from the Dead Sea bitumen (natural asphalt) that was sold to the Egyptians. Due to the abundance of good-quality clay, pottery was widespread along with the manufacture of bricks. Weaving and dyeing crafts also flourished. Along with this, high quality building stone was mined in the mountains, which was processed by stonecutters.

Living on the brink of survival in the face of constant threats of drought, locust raids from the desert or invasions of nomads led to the fact that the peoples inhabiting these lands developed resistance to external influences, but a strong state covering the entire territory did not develop here. The extraordinary diversity of geographic conditions hindered the fusion of the population of such a small country into a single whole. Therefore, until the end of the ancient period in Canaan, the isolation of certain regions was preserved, expressed in the difference in languages, customs, etc.

Palestine stretches from the southern foothills of Lebanon to the northwestern borders of the Arabian Peninsula. In the east she

borders on the Syrian-Mesopotamian steppe, and in the west it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The territory of Palestine is very small and reaches only 26,000 km 2. Geographically, Palestine can be divided into four parts: the coast,

the highlands west of the Jordan, the Jordan Valley and the highlands east of the Jordan.

The southern part of the coast is irrigated by many rivers and is famous for its fertile soil; especially fertile are the lands of the Saronian lowland, which is sometimes called the "Garden of Eden". Some of the interior regions of Western Palestine, such as the Jezreel Plain, irrigated by the Kishon River, and the Jericho Plain, along which the Wadi Kelt flows, were famous for their fertility. Even a date palm can grow in these hot and humid areas.

To the west of the northern part of the Jordan Valley is Galilee with its valleys, plains and mountain slopes, well irrigated by mountain streams and springs. This country, favorable for the development of agriculture, was densely populated in ancient times, as indicated by the numerous ruins of ancient cities.

Some areas east of the Jordan were also very fertile. Such is the country of Bashan, which was famous for its agricultural products. However, not all parts of Palestine were suitable for agriculture. Infertile were the mountainous areas in the southern part of Western Palestine, which were called "Mount Ephraim" and "Mount Judah." The dry steppe begins here, the population of which was forced to engage in cattle breeding.

The low-fertile and poorly irrigated plateaus of Eastern Palestine were also more convenient for the development of cattle breeding than for agriculture. The Jordan Valley was distinguished by special conditions. In some areas, such as near Lake Gennesaret, it is fertile and favorable for agriculture, but almost throughout this narrow strip of land, overgrown with reeds, it looked like a jungle inhabited by predatory animals. Therefore, the Jordan Valley was like a barrier, sharply separating Western Palestine from Eastern.

Palestine's natural wealth is insignificant. In the eastern part of Palestine, as well as in the south, forests were still preserved in antiquity, but these were more likely groves. Tall trees were rare and were considered the abode of a deity. The timber and mast timber had to be brought from neighboring countries.

Palestine did not have its own metal ore. The nearest copper mines were in the mountains of Lebanon and in the country of Edom, southeast of Palestine, as well as in the Gulf of Aqab, where ancient copper mines were discovered. The soil of Palestine is rich in clay, good ceramic raw materials, which have served since ancient times for the manufacture of bricks and vessels. Various types of stone were used to build city and fortress walls, as well as large buildings.

Ancient Palestine was located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. According to natural conditions, it is divided into three parts: a valley along the sea, a highland from the valley to the Jordan River and the rocky Transjordan. The lands in the valley and on the highlands were very fertile, therefore in ancient times they were called the "Garden of Eden". The local population has long been engaged in agriculture. The overjordan was convenient for cattle breeding. Two mountain ranges run across Palestine. Their main peaks bear famous historical names: Mount Sinai, Mount Tabor, Mount Carmel. The Jordan River flows through Palestine from north to south. On its way, it forms Lake Genesaret, and then flows into the Dead Sea. The sea water is so salty that there is no life there. Salt lies on the shore in whole heaps. The mountains above the Dead Sea are covered with volcanic lava and are hot by the sun.

JEWS CONQUER HANAAN

Four thousand years ago, ancient Jewish tribes began to conquer Palestine. The Canaanites and Philistines resisted desperately, but the Jews (Jews) won. The very word "Jews" means "people from the district." They moved here because of the Euphrates River. At first, the ancient Jewish tribes were nomadic. From place to place they drove large herds of cattle, from which they received meat, milk, wool and skins. In the Bible, we find many historical details from the life of ancient Jews. It tells how a tribe came to Canaan led by the leader Abraham from the Mesopotamian city of Ur. God, according to the Bible, with these words ordered them to settle there: "I will give you and your offspring the land of your wandering, the whole land of Canaan, for an eternal possession." It happened around 1700 BC. e.

THE PATRIARCHAL LIFE OF THE JEWS

Jews for a long time lived in large clans and families. Each clan was headed by a rich leader - the patriarch. The Bible describes the property of the patriarch Abraham as follows: "He had large and small livestock, here there were donkeys, and slaves, and female servants, and donkeys, and camels." Another patriarch, Job, had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, fifty pairs of oxen, and five hundred donkeys. The most difficult work on the farm was done by slaves. They grazed cattle, reaped crops, ground grain, built houses and temples. Prisoners of war and debtors who could not repay the debt became slaves.

Geography of modern Palestine

Palestine was proclaimed as a state on November 15, 1988 in the city of Algeria at an extraordinary session of the Palestinian National Council.

The state is recognized by many countries of the world and is a member of the League of Arab States. Iceland was the first European country to recognize Palestine in 2011. The country has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.

Remark 1

A number of modern states, including the USA, Israel, Spain, Norway, Sweden, do not recognize the state of Palestine.

Much of Palestine is under Israeli military control, and even the part that is officially owned by the Palestinian National Authority.

The territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are still the subject of disputes between Palestinians and Israelis today.

This name appeared when the Philistines came to the Levantine coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Since that time, the name Palestine was used by the Greeks, Arabs, Romans, Jews, and even the British mandate government.

But, I must say that each of them in their own way defined the geographical boundaries of this state. The modern Palestinian territory is divided into two parts - the Jordan Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The western bank of the river stretches for 6 thousand km with a total length of the border of 400 km. Winters in these areas are mild and summers hot. The Dead Sea, lying on the territory of Israel, is located 400 meters below sea level and is the lowest point in the area. Local residents irrigate the land and use it for agriculture.

The relief of the West Bank is mostly flat, covered with small hills and desert. Forests occupy only 1% of the area, which is 6.2 thousand square meters. km. Here Palestine shares a border with Jordan.

The second part of the country is the Gaza Strip, whose territory is represented by hills and sand dunes. The climate is dry with very hot summers. The border of the Gaza Strip runs with Israel for 62 km.

The Gaza Strip is washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the west, and it borders with Egypt in the south. The population of the Gaza Strip is mainly represented by Arabs who fled from Israeli soil more than 60 years ago. Descendants of refugees live in Gaza today.

In general, the population of Palestine as of 2017 was 4.9 million people. In terms of numbers, the male and female population is almost the same, the natural growth is positive. The country is characterized by migration processes. The average life expectancy of the male and female population is 72 and 76 years, respectively.

Arabic is the official language of the state, but knowledge of Hebrew, English and French is also common.

Remark 2

It must be said that not only during the period of British mandate rule, but also modern political boundaries are artificial and do not denote a geographical or cultural area.

Natural conditions of ancient Palestine

If the territory of Palestine is viewed from a historical point of view, then it was divided into three parts:

1. the northern part - the lands of the coastal plain up to the Mediterranean territories of the Galilee;
2. the central part is Samaria, located in the north side of the holy Jerusalem;
3. the southern part is Judea.

Such boundaries were established according to the biblical scriptures. The land of Palestine stretches from the southern foothills of Lebanon to the northwestern borders of the Arabian Peninsula.

The eastern border runs with the Syrian-Mesopotamian steppe, the western border goes to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, along the coast of which there is a fertile lowland open to sea winds.

In the northern part of Palestine, the Kar-mel mountain range passes, separating the lowland from Phenicia. The hilly highlands run east of the lowlands, where in the early centuries the population was engaged in agriculture and livestock raising.

To the east, the country is cut by a narrow valley of the Jordan River, which flows into the Dead Sea.

Some areas to the east of the river were very fertile, such as the Bashan country, where agricultural products were grown.

The Palestinian lands to the west of the Jordan rose up the highlands. The highlands of Eastern Palestine were more suitable for animal husbandry.

The mountainous regions of Western Palestine, especially its southern part, were barren. They were called "Mount Ephraim" and "Mount Judah".

The narrow Jordan Valley was overgrown with reeds almost all the way and looked like a jungle in which predatory animals lived. Dense forests and shrubs grew along the banks of the river, but the river itself did not become the country's vital artery, most likely it was the border between the West and the East of the country.

The steppes located beyond the Jordan gradually turned into the Syrian desert. The extreme south of Palestine, stretching towards the Sinai Peninsula, passes into a dry mountainous desert.

The isthmus separating Palestine from Egypt is occupied by dry and desolate lowlands. Nature has not endowed Palestine with natural wealth.

In ancient times, forests similar to groves were still preserved in the east and south of the country. There were few tall trees, and even then, if they met, then the population considered them the abode of the deity. The necessary timber was brought from neighboring countries.

There were deposits of clay in the bowels of Palestine. As a good ceramic raw material, it was used for the production of bricks and vessels. Brick was used for the construction of city and fortress walls, for the construction of buildings.

Remark 3

Thus, the northern and central parts of Palestine were most favorable for the development of agriculture and in ancient times were densely populated. Migration routes from Africa to Asia and vice versa passed here, and throughout its history Palestine played the role of a kind of bridge between the West and the East.

Palestinian occupations

In the well-humid regions of Palestine, the population switched to a sedentary lifestyle and engaged in agriculture, while the mountain and steppe tribes still led a nomadic lifestyle.

Population as early as the 3rd century BC. managed to domesticate some animals, among which were long-horned bulls, sheep, goats, donkeys, dogs.

Oats, wheat, millet, and barley were sown on the plowed lands using primitive techniques. The hoe played an important role in agriculture, gradually giving way to the plow. The ripe crop was harvested using sickles equipped with flint teeth. Not only grain was grown on the land, but also gardens were planted - date palms and vineyards, fig trees, pomegranates, olives were grown.

Olives were used to produce olive oil, which the Egyptians exported from Palestine in huge quantities. Winemaking developed on the basis of viticulture.

The population of Palestine was engaged not only in agriculture, crafts were greatly developed - the construction business and serf construction with the use of bricks and building stones developed.

Bricks were used to make stone weapons and tools - these were stone axes, hoes, adzes, flint sickle blades.

Gradually, the stone was replaced by metal - copper and bronze. Bronze daggers, axes, figurines date back to the 2nd millennium BC.

The use of iron in Palestine dates back to the 12th-11th centuries BC. and it goes not only for the production of weapons, but also for agricultural implements.

Spinning and weaving, which may have arisen under the influence of Egypt, take an important place. They made linen and woolen fabrics, gave them color and applied beautiful patterns.

The availability of quality clay contributed to the development of pottery. At this time, the caravan trade was well developed. Wheat, fruits, flax, leather, and handicrafts were exported from Palestine. They imported Mycenaean vessels, handicrafts, grain, myrrh.