The Jordan Valley recently made headlines with the announcement of Donald Trump’s Peace Plan. In honor of this celebratory event, we decided to share with you some interesting facts you may not have known about this amazing region of the country:
1. The Jordan Valley is part of the Syrian-African Rift. It is a major geological rift that extends from northern Syria to the Zambezi River in Africa. The tectonic plates on either side of the rift continue to move an inch a year: the east side is moving north while the west side is moving south. So hurry up and visit before they drift too far apart. ☺
In the Jordan Valley there are 15,000 Jews divided into three regional councils. The plan for developing communities in the Baka Valley is known as the “Alon Plan” named for the memory of Yigal Alon, which began in 1967 with the capture of the Valley during the Six Day War. Among other things, the plan is intended to provide strategic-security to the State of Israel and to keep the border out of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
The Israeli kibbutz Tirat Zvi, located in the northern Jordan Valley, is considered one of the hottest places in the world after temperatures reached 53 degrees Celsius on June 21, 1942.
If you ever eaten dates in the Netherlands, France or England, there is a high chance that these are dates were grown here in the Jordan Valley. Israeli dates are in great demand around the world, especially the “King of Dates,” which are Medjool dates, which Israel supplies 40% of to the world with, most which come from the Jordan Valley. About 2,400 years ago, Theophrastus, one of Aristotle’s students, wrote that dates can be found in the Jordan Valley region of varying sizes – from the size of chickpeas to close 12 cm.
But not only dates … also edible grapes. About 4,000 hectares of edible grapes are planted in the valley. About 70 percent of the produce is intended for export, which is about half the amount of grapes exported each year from the State of Israel. Most of the growth is based on the strain S.B.S EARLY SWEET, which is the product of the “Jordan Valley Research and Development” researchers and is currently the most sought after in the world. The method for growing grapes under a protective net, unique to this type, was also developed by the areas growth guides and researchers in the “Jordan Valley Research and Development”.
The highest mountain in the Jordan Valley is the “Sartabha” mountain, mentioned in the Mishnah where they would light fires to declare the new month from Jerusalem to Babylon (Iraq). At the top of the mountain are the remains of the Alexandrion Fortress, built by Hasmonean King Alexander Yanai. In excavations conducted in Sartabha remains from the Hasmonean period were discovered, which included columns and capitals.
If we are already mentioning Sartabha… this mountain has an impressive height of 650 meters and its steep ascent, which has led many elite IDF units to the top of the summit during training. Some units even carry out the climb as a final challenge to their combat training. Alright, grab your bag and let’s see you climb…
At the heart of the Jordan Valley is the Jordan River spanning 251 km long. The Jordan River begins at the foot of Mt. Hermon and spills into the Dead Sea, not far from the city of Jericho. The river is mentioned dozens of times in the Bible, including in the story of the Children of Israel into the Land by crossing the Jordan river, with the Prophet Elijah’s ascent into heaven, and the healing from leprosy of Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram.
Well? Did we capture your interest? You are invited to come to the land of the Bible to visit the Jordan Valley. And if you are already here, do not forget to visit “Flavors of the Bible”.
