The Negev
The Negev Desert, in Southern Israel, can be oppressively hot but you will not see the type of sand dunes associated with the Sahara or other deserts. The Negev Desert is filled more with dirt, rocks and canyons, which are no less forbidding. The Negev Desert is also beautiful with spectacular landscapes, waterfalls, caves, archaeological sites, cities, craters and a rich history.
When the boundaries of the Jewish and Arab States were being debated by diplomats in 1947 and 1948, David Ben Gurion insisted that the Negev be part of the new Jewish State. Although it was almost uninhabited, and thought to be uncultivable, David Ben Gurion knew that this region was needed if the State was to grow. He also had the vision that the Negev could be turned into a place where Jews could settle and flourish.
The Negev covers about half the land mass of Israel.
It is framed by the borders of Jordan and Egypt and its southernmost tip is Eilat. Since the time of David Ben Gurion, Israeli Leaders have stressed the importance of settling in the area, but it mainly remains undeveloped and sparsely populated. For centuries, Bedouins have lived for centuries in the Negev - some of their encampments are regular stops for tourists, but others are more authentic villages where livestock are tended and the ways of the old are still observed.
Beersheba is the gateway to Negev (see information pages on Beersheba). Further south is Kibbutz Sde Boker which was founded in 1952. From 1963 it became the home of Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion until his death in 1973. He is buried, next to his wife Paula, on the Kibbutz. The Hut where David Ben Gurion lived is a museum dedicated to his legacy.
The Central Negev is marked by the Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon). Although referred to as a crater, it is actually a valley surrounded by steep walls and drained by a single wadi (riverbed). There are hiker trails into the crater and rappelling off the edge of the crater is very popular.
Beautiful and amazing landscapes can be found between Beersheba and the Ramon Crater and not much more, except for the remains of ancient Nabatean Cities of Avdat, Shivta and Ein Avdat
The Eastern Negev has two of the area's larger town. Arad serves as a convenient stop for visitors to the Dead Sea and Masada. Due to its clean dry air, the town is a recommended for people suffering from allergies and asthma. Tel Arad is a biblical town and is one of the earliest known urban settlements - (see information pages on Arad).
Further south, on the way to Eilat, is Dimona, established in the 1950s to help absorb Jewish immigrants. It is best known as the site of Israel's nuclear research program. It is also known as the home of the Black Hebrews a sect that originally came from Chicago and settled in Dimona and opened the Village of Peace.
Driving past Dimona is Mamshit one of the best preserved of the Nabatean towns. It was built in the 1st century and is thought to be the last of the five cities the Nabateans built along the roads from their capital in Petra (Jordan) to the coast. Over the period of several centuries, the Nabateans gave up their nomadic way of life and became permanent settlers who focused on agriculture. The Nabateans were remarkable engineers and developed sophisticated systems for controlling their water resources. Mamshit was annexed by the Romans in 106 CE and the town was renamed Memphis. During the Byzantine period, three churches were built and the remains of some of the mosaics are still visible.
The southern route to Eilat, almost 160 km, is dotted with small agricultural settlements. 42 km from Eilat is Kibbutz Yotvata which is one of the Israel's major dairies. The Kibbutz is open to visitors
The Negev
The Negev Desert, in Southern Israel, is beautiful with spectacular landscapes, waterfalls, caves, archaeological sites, craters and a rich history.
Key Words: The Negev, David Ben Gurion, Beersheba, Dimona, Arad, Ramon Crater, Mamshit, Kibbutz Yotvata, Kibbutz Sde Boker, Avdat