Middle East and North Africa

Palestinian Territories

Last Reviewed: 19 October 2007

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Palestinian Territories today
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GEOGRAPHY

The West Bank is an area of 5,800 sq km - roughly 130km long and 40-65km wide. It is hilly and for the most part rugged terrain, which changes from desert and scrub landscape in the south to more lush vegetation in the north. The West Bank has an average elevation of 750m, but it also comprises Jericho and the shores of the Dead Sea which, at 390m below sea level, forms the lowest point on earth.

The Gaza Strip is an area of 365 sq km – some 45km long and 5-12km wide. The region is mostly flat and the soil is sandy.