Two-thirds of the Holy Land is waterless desert. Now called the Judean and Negev desert, in the Bible they are named the Wilderness of Paran and of Zin. Although unmentioned by the Gospels these regions were far more populous in those days than they are now. A land-link between continents these desert are the limit of the habitats of many European, African and Asian creatures – and the migratory route for many birds. In recent years a special nature reserve was set up just north of Eilat to protect endangered species.
Inhospitable at first sight, the desert’s natural beauty shines all year-round. In winter, natural pools form in otherwise dry river valleys called Wadis, and wildflowers spring up after the rains, blossoming like a multi-colored carpet. In summer the sun turns rock and sand formations into different pastel shades in the evening – or hides them with shimmering heat waves in the middle of the day. Even nights are a wonder as the moon floats in a canopy of stars that seem to sit just out of reach.
This page is part of the book The Holy Land of Jesus
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