Landscapes and Landforms of Israel—An Overview

Three geographical factors determine the character of Israel: its location in the Mediterranean zone, at the crossroads of three continents and two oceans, and on the border between the desert and the sown. Like other Mediterranean countries, Israel has a predominantly hilly topography, a bedrock foundation in which carbonate rocks predominate, and a sunny climate characterized by a sharp seasonal division between a rainy winter and an arid summer. The combination of these factors together create the country's distinctive landscapes, soils, and vegetation. This chapter aims to draw a brief picture of the four lengthwise strips, running north to south, and their subdivision into major physiographic unitsPhysiographic units that together form the landscapes of this country.