The Judean hill country (also Highlands of Judea or Judean Mountains) lies in the Palestinian territories. It is roughly the same size as the south-westerly one West Bank.
Regional breakdown
The mountainous country of Judea extends geographically for a distance of about 80 km in length and ranges roughly from Ramallah to the north via Jerusalem Hebron in the south of the West Bank and extends - especially in Jerusalem and west of it - also on israeli National territory.
The delimitation made in the following is based on the political borders (and ignores the slight deviations from the geographical border): The area is described as the Judean highlands of Judea within of the West Bank, but south of Ramallah and on or west of an imaginary line Ramallah - Bethlehem - Hebron. This region is surrounded by Samaria in the north, the Judean desert in the east as well as the Israeli regions Negev and Schefela in the south or west.
places
- Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is mainly visited for the Church of the Nativity.
- Located in the northern half of the Judean Mountains Jerusalem and the settlements of the corresponding metropolitan area.
- Hebron is in the south of the region; in the past it was often a place of sharp clashes between Palestinians and Israelis, the most important attraction is the tomb of Abraham.
Other goals
background
Unlike the desert directly to the east, the mountains receive sufficient rainfall so that agriculture is possible here. Due to the steep slope of the terrain to the Dead Sea, the transition to the desert is very abrupt; there are only a few kilometers between the two landscapes.
language
The native Palestinians speak Arabic; as in the rest of the West Bank, there are Israeli settlements whose inhabitants speak Hebrew. However, many people also understand English.
getting there
The main traffic axes through the Judean Mountains are the road 60 from Jerusalem via Hebron to Beer Sheva and road 35 that goes from Hebron to Kirjat Gat and Ashkelon in Israel leads. Arab buses run from Jerusalem. The Israeli bus company Egged serves the Jewish settlements.
If you have an Israeli rental car, you should clarify whether you can even drive it into the West Bank; this is partially prohibited by the car rental companies.
mobility
Tourist Attractions
activities
kitchen
nightlife
security
Before arriving, you should find out about the current security situation and avoid trouble spots if necessary.
climate
Due to the altitude, it is comparatively cool in the Judean highlands. In summer it cools down much more strongly in the evening than at the Dead Sea or the Mediterranean Sea, so it may be too cool in the T-shirt. In winter, snow can fall in the Judean Mountains, and it can then be uncomfortably wet and cold.
