Nature of Israel - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Israel is located on the border of two parts of the world and belongs to the Middle East region. The western coast of the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Jordan River flows at the eastern borders and the majestic Dead Sea lies on the Syrian-African fault. The southern shore of Israel is washed by the Red Sea. Despite the Country’s small size, it is distinguished by its natural diversity. Israel’s territory can be divided into several regions: the coastal Mediterranean plain, hilly landscapes in the central part, the Negev desert and the Jordan Valley. The country’s climate can be described as subtropical or Mediterranean with mild wet winters and dry sultry summers.

Natural uniqueness defines a huge number of natural attractions that deserve the attention of tourists. One of the most amazing places in Israel is the Dead Sea situated below the level of the World Ocean. It is a huge inner lake fed by the waters of the Jordan River. The reservoir got its modern name from the Crusaders. River waters saturate the Dead Sea with minerals and salt which makes it the most saline and lifeless reservoir on the planet. Today, a tourist infrastructure has been created on the shore of the Dead Sea including hotels, sanatoriums, hospitals and spa centers.

One of the most famous rivers in the world, “the Jordan River” can be found in Israel. It is a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world. Believers tend to take part in the symbolic sacrament of baptism in the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in ancient times. The Bible more than once speaks of the Jordan as a wonderful river whose waters parted before Joshua, helping the Israelis to complete a forty-year wandering through the desert. Today, tourists can see the Jordan with their own eyes and plunge into the sacred river waters. The most popular place to visit is the tourist complex “Yardenit” near the source of the river close to Tiberias. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Arriving in Israel, one cannot but visit the unearthly desert Negev, nicknamed “blooming”. Once a year, there comes the time of flowering of numerous plants, turning this stern place into a colorful carpet and filling it with fragrance. In the desert you will find ancient earth craters “mahtesh”, formed as a result of erosion of internal rocks. A few years ago, a water pipe was laid here which allowed the cultivation of the fertile lands of the northern part of the desert. This led to the emergence of settlements and agrarian communes –“moshav” and “kibbutzim”. Yatir, a large afforestation was created in the desert where many tourist routes are situated. The excavations of ancient settlements are of interest.

Lake Tiberias or Lake Kinerit is also popular among tourists. According to legend, Jesus Christ preached, resurrected the dead and treated the sick on its shores two thousand years ago. The water of this lake has shown a miracle of His walking on the water. There is a nature reserve Hamat-Gader with thermal springs at the lake. During excavations, the ruins of Roman baths were found within its territory. It also has a large crocodile nursery. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Israel is the grottoes of Rosh Ha Nikra, which formerly served as the starting point for trade caravans in Egypt. Depending on the time of day, the grottoes change their color from silvery to aquamarine. Tourists can take advantage of the convenient paths to go through the grottoes and admire the picturesque views of the Mediterranean coast.

In Haifa at the slope of Mount Carmel are situated the Baha’i Gardens. Created in the middle of the 20th century, today there are nineteen rounded terraces branching off from the Baha’i Temple. The terraces are decorated in Persian style. Their perfect alleys, emerald lawns and exquisitely trimmed shrubs cannot but create delight. You will find more than four hundred varieties of strange plants in the gardens, each of which has a sacred meaning. Garden of Gethsemane is one of the religious and cultural shrines of Israel. Today, only a modest plot remains of it. Before now it occupied an extensive valley. The modern garden adjoins the tomb of the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, it was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus Christ spent the last hours before His crucifixion. Presently, ancient olive trees which are over hundreds of years old grow here.

There is also the “Caesarea National Park” – the center of the ancient city of Caesarea which disappeared under the water several centuries ago. Even today, part of its territory is under water. An ancient amphitheater, a hippodrome and a port have been preserved in the park. Its colossal walls are surrounded by exquisite galleries, shops and restaurants. On the way to the public beach you can see the ancient aqueduct with an intriguing “bird’s mosaic”. You will also find a lot of art galleries in “Caesarea”. In the harbor, you can find an archaeological exhibition representing a thousand-year-old Sarcophagus made of stone, on the lid of which the head of the mythical gorgon Medusa is carved.