This historic,
volatile spot is significant for Christians, Muslims and Jews alike, as
Jerusalem is recognized as a holy city by all three religious faiths.
The Old Testament of the Bible (the Jewish Torah), describes how after being
led out of Egypt by Moses into this land of Canaan, Hebrew tribes,
descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob, settled, and later formed the Northern
Kingdom of Israel. Centuries passed, and then (by decree) on May 14, 1948,
(an agreed to partition of Palestine) between the Jews and Arabs, and one
later recommended by a special committee of the United Nations in 1947, was
the force that formed the official State of Israel. Today the West Bank
(shown on the map above) is partially Israeli occupied, but Israel, in
September, 2005, withdrew all Israeli settlers and soldiers and dismantled
its military facilities in the Gaza Strip. Nonetheless, Israel controls
maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip.
 Recently,
the country of Israel and Hezbollah forces within Lebanon are fighting a
bloody war; one with thousands of civilians caught in the middle. On Monday,
August 14th, 2006, a cease fire took effect, and hopefully, it will prevail
until an international peace-keeping force is put in place.
| Location: |
31º 46' N, 35º 14' E
|
| Population: |
6,276,900 |
| Area: |
total: 322,460 sq km
land: 318,000 sq km
water: 4,460 sq km
slightly larger than New Mexico |
| Terrain: |
mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains
in northwest |
| Elevation: |
Highest Point Mt. Meron -
3,963 ft. (1,208m)
Lowest
Point Dead Sea - (-1,349 ft.) (- 411 m) below sea level |
|
