State of Palestine

Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Other terms that have been used to refer to all or part of this area include Israel, “Greater Israel” (Hebrew Eretz Yisrael), Retenu (Ancient Egyptian) Southern Syria, Greater Syria, Arabistan, Canaan, and the Holy Land. In the broad geographical sense, Palestine refers to an area that includes contemporary Israel and the Palestinian territories, parts of Jordan, and parts of Lebanon and Syria. In the narrow sense, it refers to the area within the boundaries of the former British Mandate of Palestine (1920-1948) west of the Jordan River. However, this page for Palestine refers to the State of Palestine proposed by the Palestinian National Authority.

Palestine is a country in the southern Levant region of West Asia, encompassing the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, within the larger historic Palestine region. The country shares most of its borders with Israel, and borders Jordan to the east and Egypt to the southwest. Thus, the two enclaves constituting the area claimed by State of Palestine have no geographical border with one another, being separated by Israel. It has a combined land area of 6,020 km2 (2,320 square miles) while its population exceeds five million people. Half of Palestinians live outside the territory in refugee camps. Its proclaimed capital is Jerusalem while Ramallah serves as its administrative centre and Gaza City was its largest city until 2023. Arabic is the official language. The majority of Palestinians practice Islam while Christianity also has a presence. The State of Palestine has been recognized by 145 of the 193 UN members and since 2012 has had a status of a non-member observer state in the United Nations.

The West Bank is located on the western side of the Jordan River and is characterised by a diverse landscape. It consists of fertile valleys, such as the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan River Valley, as well as mountainous areas, including the Samarian and Judean mountain ranges. East Jerusalem, a part of the West Bank, is a significant component of the Palestinian territories. It is located on a plateau in the central highlands and is surrounded by valleys. The Old City of Jerusalem, with its historical and religious sites, is centrally located within East Jerusalem. The Samarian Hills and Judean Hills are mountain ranges in the West Bank, with Mount Gerizim and Mount Hebron as their highest peaks. The Mount of Olives (Jabal Zaytun) is a significant hill east of Jerusalem, known for its religious sites. Mount Carmel extends into the northern West Bank and is renowned for its natural beauty.

Mount Carmel – ©Chadner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Three terrestrial eco-regions are found in the area: Eastern Mediterranean conifer–sclerophyllous–broadleaf forests, Arabian Desert, and Mesopotamian shrub desert. Palestine features significant lakes and rivers that play a vital role in its geography and ecosystems. The Jordan River flows southward, forming part of Palestine’s eastern border and passing through the Sea of Galilee before reaching the Dead Sea.  These waterways provide essential resources for agriculture, recreation, and support various ecosystems. The Gaza Strip is a small coastal enclave located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

Temperatures in Palestine vary widely. The climate in the West Bank is mostly Mediterranean, slightly cooler at elevated areas compared with the shoreline, west to the area. In the east, the West Bank includes much of the Judean Desert including the western shoreline of the Dead Sea, characterised by dry and hot climate. Gaza has a hot semi-arid climate with mild winters and dry hot summers. Spring arrives around March-April and the hottest months are July and August, with the average high being 33 °C. The coldest month is January with temperatures usually at around 7 °C. Rain is scarce and generally falls between November and March, with annual precipitation rates approximately at 4 to 5 inches.

Birding Palestine

Palestine does not have officially recognised national parks or protected areas. However, there are areas within the West Bank that are considered to have ecological and cultural significance and are being managed with conservation efforts. These areas are often referred to as nature reserves or protected zones. Located near Jericho in the West Bank, Wadi Qelt is a desert valley with unique flora and fauna. The reserve is known for its rugged landscapes and natural springs. Efforts have been made to protect the biodiversity and natural beauty of the area.

 Wadi Qelt – Public Domain via Wikimedia

Given the political realities few people can watch birds in Palestine, although, as with almost all peoples and states, there are individuals passionate about birds and conservation.