Geography and Early Human Presence

Palestine occupies a unique and strategic geographical position, serving as a land bridge connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe. This location has profoundly shaped its history, making it a crossroads for trade, migration, and conquest throughout millennia. The region's diverse landscape ranges from the fertile coastal plains along the Mediterranean Sea to the rugged central highlands and the arid deserts of the south. This geographical variety created distinct environments for early human habitation.

The coastal plain, stretching from the border with modern Lebanon southwards, offered fertile soil and access to the sea, suitable for agriculture and fishing. The central highlands, running north-south, provided natural defenses and varied terrain, supporting different types of settlement patterns. To the east, the Jordan Rift Valley, home to the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, presented unique environmental challenges and opportunities. Finally, the Negev Desert in the south formed a natural boundary while also hosting ancient trade routes.