{{Short description|Area south of the Dead Sea basin in Israel and Jordan}} [[File:PikiWiki Israel 8801 Plants of Israel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Date palm plantation in the Israeli Arava]] [[File:Aerial photographs of Wadi Arabah IMG 2049.JPG|thumb|Southern tip of the Arava with [[King Hussein International Airport]], [[Aqaba]] and the [[Gulf of Aqaba]] seen from Israel]] The '''Arabah'''/'''Araba''' ({{langx|ar|وادي عربة|Wādī ʿAraba}}) or '''Aravah'''/'''Arava''' ({{langx|he|הָעֲרָבָה|hāʿĂrāḇā|dry area}}<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |year=2000 |title=עֲרָבָה |encyclopedia=אנציקלופדיה מפה |publisher=[[Mapa (publisher)|Mapa]] |location=[[Tel Aviv]] |volume=6 |pages=107–110 |language=he |trans-title=Arava |quote=השם קדום (דברים א 1 ועוד) ומשמעו אזור שומם ויבש}}</ref>) is a loosely defined geographic area located south of the [[Dead Sea]] [[drainage basin]] and north of the [[Gulf of Aqaba]] in southeastern [[Israel]], [[West Bank]], and southwestern [[Jordan]].
The old meaning, which was in use up to around the early 20th century, covered almost the entire length of what today is called the [[Jordan Rift Valley]], running in a north–south orientation between the southern end of the [[Sea of Galilee]] and the northern tip of the [[Gulf of Aqaba]] of the [[Red Sea]] at [[Aqaba]]–[[Eilat]]. This included the Jordan Rift Valley between the [[Sea of Galilee]] and the [[Dead Sea]], the Dead Sea itself, and what today is commonly called the Arava Valley<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinmeyer |first=Nathan |date=2025-07-28 |title=What Is the Arava? |url=https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/what-is-the-arava/ |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=Biblical Archaeology Society |language=en}}</ref>. The contemporary use of the term is restricted to this southern section alone.
==Geography== [[Image:PikiWiki_Israel_37729_Barak_stream.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Nahal Barak]], in Israel's [[Southern District (Israel)|Southern District]], is part of a system of streams draining the Arava desert.]]
The Arabah is {{convert|166|km|mi|abbr=on}} in length, from the [[Gulf of Aqaba]] to the southern shore of the Dead Sea.
Topographically, the region is divided into three sections. From the [[Gulf of Aqaba]] northward, the land gradually rises over a distance of {{convert|77|km|mi|abbr=on}}, and reaches a height of {{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level, which represents the [[water divide|watershed divide]] between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. From this crest, the land slopes gently northward over the next {{convert|74|km|mi|abbr=on}} to a point {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the Dead Sea. In the last section, the Arabah drops steeply to the Dead Sea, which is {{convert|417|m|ft|abbr=on}} below sea level.
The Arabah is scenic with colorful cliffs and sharp-topped mountains. The southern Arabah is hot, dry and virtually without rain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Arabah (Wadi Arava) |url=https://www.tripbucket.com/dreams/dream/explore-wadi-arabah-jordon/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=www.tripbucket.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Flora and fauna== There are numerous species of flora and fauna in the Aravah Valley.<ref>[[Henry Chichester Hart]]. 1891, ''Some account of the fauna and flora of Sinai'', Petra, and Wâdy Arabah, 255 pages</ref> Notably the [[caracal]] (''Caracal caracal'') is found on the valley's [[savanna]] areas.<ref> C. Michael Hogan. 2009. [http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=35844 ''Caracal: Caracal caracal'', GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004094407/http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=35844 |date=2011-10-04 }} </ref> [[Acacia|Acacia trees]] (genus ''[[Vachellia]]'') support several species of large herbivores, including [[Nubian ibex]] (''Capra nubiana''), [[Arabian oryx]] (''Oryx leucoryx''), [[Onager|Asiatic wild ass]] (''Equus hemionus''), [[Dorcas gazelle|Dorcas gazelles]] (''Gazella dorcas''), and a [[Relict (biology)|relict population]] of [[Arabian gazelle|Arabian gazelles]] (''Gazella arabica''), locally known as acacia gazelles.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Breslau |first1=Benjamin |last2=Polak |first2=Tal |last3=Shalmon |first3=Benny |last4=Groner |first4=Elli |date=2020-02-01 |title=Evidence of browsing pressure on the critically endangered Acacia gazelle (Gazella acaciae) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140196318319049 |journal=Journal of Arid Environments |volume=173 |article-number=104019 |doi=10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.104019 |issn=0140-1963|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>Ross, S., Elalqamy, H., Al Said, T. & Saltz, D. 2020. ''Capra nubiana''. ''The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species'' 2020: e.T3796A22143385. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T3796A22143385.en. Accessed on 17 March 2025.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Cohen |first1=Orly |last2=Barocas |first2=Adi |last3=Geffen |first3=Eli |date=April 2013 |title=Conflicting management policies for the Arabian wolf Canis lupus arabs in the Negev Desert: is this justified? |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/conflicting-management-policies-for-the-arabian-wolf-canis-lupus-arabs-in-the-negev-desert-is-this-justified/6BD87ED845F33A61B9C7F620EC5A54E8 |journal=Oryx |language=en |volume=47 |issue=2 |pages=228–236 |doi=10.1017/S0030605311001797 |issn=0030-6053}}</ref> They are predated and scavenged upon by carnivores including [[Arabian wolf|Arabian wolves]] (''Canis lupus arabs''), [[Striped hyena|striped hyenas]] (''Hyaena hyaena''), and [[Golden jackal|golden jackals]] (''Canis aureus'').<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bonsen |first1=Gavin T. |last2=Wallach |first2=Arian D. |last3=Ben-Ami |first3=Dror |last4=Keynan |first4=Oded |last5=Khalilieh |first5=Anton |last6=Dahdal |first6=Yara |last7=Ramp |first7=Daniel |date=2024-08-01 |title=Navigating complex geopolitical landscapes: Challenges in conserving the endangered Arabian wolf |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320724002179 |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=296 |article-number=110655 |doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110655 |bibcode=2024BCons.29610655B |issn=0006-3207|doi-access=free }}</ref>
===Important Bird Areas=== A {{Convert|15,000|ha|acre|abbr=on|adj=on}} tract of the northern Arava Valley, from the Ne'ot Hakikar Nature Reserve in the north to the Hazeva and Shezaf Nature Reserve in the south, has been recognised as an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports populations of both resident and migrating bird species, including [[sand partridge]]s, [[garganey]]s, [[common crane]]s, [[black stork|black]] and [[white stork]]s, [[Eurasian spoonbill]]s and [[Eurasian bittern|bittern]]s, [[black-winged stilt]]s, [[desert tawny owl]]s, [[lappet-faced vulture]]s, [[Levant sparrowhawk]]s, [[sooty falcon]]s, [[Arabian warbler]]s and [[Arabian babbler|babbler]]s, [[Tristram's starling]]s, [[hooded wheatear]]s and [[Dead Sea sparrow]]s.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/northern-arava-valley-iba-israel|title= Northern Arava Valley|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 24 February 2021}}</ref> Furthermore, a {{Convert|60,000|ha|acre|abbr=on|adj=on}} tract of the southern Arava Valley, from [[Yotvata]] in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south, including the western (Israeli) half of the valley floor and the ridge of the [[Eilat Mountains]], has also been recognised as an IBA, with additional significant species being [[Lichtenstein's sandgrouse]], [[grey heron]]s, [[great white pelican]]s, [[slender-billed curlew]]s, [[marsh sandpiper]]s, [[black-winged pratincole]]s, [[white-eyed gull]]s, [[white-winged tern]]s, [[pallid scops owl]]s, [[European honey buzzard]]s, [[Egyptian vulture]]s, [[eastern imperial eagle]]s, [[lesser kestrel]]s, [[lanner falcon]]s, [[Dunn's lark|Arabian lark]]s, [[Sinai rosefinch]]es and [[cinereous bunting]]s.<ref name=bli2>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/southern-arava-valley-and-elat-mountains-iba-israel|title= Southern Arava valley and Elat mountains|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 24 February 2021}}</ref> On the eastern (Jordanian) side of the southern Arava Valley is the corresponding, {{Convert|17,200|ha|acre|abbr=on|adj=on}}, Wadi Araba IBA, about {{Convert|160|km|mi|abbr=on}} long by up to {{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide. An additional species recorded there is the [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] [[MacQueen's bustard]], in very small numbers.<ref name=bli3>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wadi-araba-iba-jordan|title= Wadi Araba|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 24 February 2021}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Wadi Aravah Sunset Israel Jordan.jpg|thumb|Wadi Arabah and the [[Edom]] Mountains in Jordan, seen from Israel]] ===Bronze and Iron Ages; Nabatean period=== In the [[Bronze Age|Bronze]] and [[Iron Age|Iron Ages]], the Arava was a center of [[copper]] production. [[King Solomon]] is reported in the [[Hebrew Bible]] to have had mines in this area. Copper mining at the [[Ashalim (archaeological site)|Ashalim]] site predates his reign in the 10th century BCE.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=[[Erez Ben-Yosef|Ben-Yosef, E.]] |author2= Gidding, A.|author3=Tauxe, L. |author4=Davidovich, U. |author5=Najjar, M. |author6=Levy, T.E. |title= Early Bronze Age copper production systems in the northern Arabah Valley: New insights from archaeomagnetic study of slag deposits in Jordan and Israel |journal=[[Journal of Archaeological Science]] |year=2016 |volume= 72 |pages= 71–84 |doi= 10.1016/j.jas.2016.05.010 |doi-access= free |bibcode= 2016JArSc..72...71B|url= https://escholarship.org/content/qt2f0832d7/qt2f0832d7.pdf?t=oj7hhw |access-date= 2020-09-03}}</ref> The Arabah, especially its eastern part, was part of the realm of the [[Edom]]ites (called "Idumeans" during Hellenistic and Roman times). Later the eastern Arabah became the domain of the [[Nabateans]], the builders of the city of [[Petra]].
====Archaeology: Kingdom of Edom==== [[File:Wadi Musa, Jordan, A view over Wadi Arabah (Dead Sea basin).jpg|thumb|View over Wadi Arabah from peaks of Wadi Musa]] The existence of the biblical Kingdom of [[Edom]] was proved by archaeologists led by [[Erez Ben-Yosef]] and Tom Levy, using a methodology called the [[punctuated equilibrium]] model in 2019. Archaeologists mainly took copper samples from the [[Timna Valley]] and [[Wadi Feynan|Faynan]] in Jordan's Arava valley dated to 1300–800 BCE. According to the results of the analyses, the researchers thought that Pharaoh [[Shoshenq I|Shoshenk I]] of Egypt (the Biblical "[[Shishak]]"), who attacked [[Jerusalem]] in the 10th century BC, encouraged trade and production of copper instead of destroying the region. [[Tel Aviv University]] professor Ben-Yosef reported, "Our new findings contradict the view of many archaeologists that the Arava was populated by a loose alliance of tribes, and they're consistent with the biblical story that there was an Edomite kingdom here".<ref>{{Cite web |title= Israeli researchers identify biblical kingdom of Edom |work= Jerusalem Post |date= 19 September 2019 |url= https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Israeli-researchers-identify-biblical-kingdom-of-Edom-602158 |access-date=2019-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Bible-era nomadic Edomite tribesmen were actually hi-tech copper mavens |author= Amanda Borschel-Dan |website= Times of Israel |url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/bible-era-nomadic-edomite-tribesmen-were-actually-hi-tech-copper-mavens/ |access-date=2019-10-01}}</ref>
===Israel and Jordan, 20th-21st c.=== The [[Israel–Jordan Treaty of Peace|Israel–Jordan Peace Treaty]] was signed in the Arava on October 26, 1994. The governments of Jordan and Israel are promoting development of the region. There is a plan to bring sea water from the [[Red Sea]] to the [[Dead Sea]] through a canal ([[Two Seas Canal|Red–Dead Seas Canal]]), which follows along the Arabah. This (long envisioned) project was once an issue of dispute between Jordan and Israel, but it was recently agreed that the project shall be constructed on and by the Jordanian side.
'''Arava Peace Road'''
The Peace Road<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arava Peace Road - Drive along the Israel-Jordan Border |url=https://www.kkl.org.il/am/tourism-and-recreation/forests-and-parks/arava-peace-road/ |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=Jewish National Fund}}</ref>, which starts in Moshav Idan and continues south to Ein Yahav, offers scenic contrasts: on the one hand the open desert, white marl hills and the hills of the tongue formation, and on the other hand - well-kept agricultural plots of the Araba residents.
'''Central-and Northern-Arava Research and Development'''
The Arava Valley's R&D<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arava {{!}} Central & Northern Arava-Tamar R&D |url=https://en.agri.arava.co.il/ |access-date=2026-04-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> activity began in 1986 under the Negev-Arava R&D framework, with the goal of meeting the new settlements' developmental demands as they were formally designated as high priority areas along the Israeli boundaries.
'''Park Sapir'''
Enjoy a quiet space in Park Sapir<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bridge excursions - A Bridge Over Still Waters - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - KKL-JNF |url=http://https//www.kkl-jnf.org%2fhiking_and_walking_tracks%2fsapir-park-desert-life%2f |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=https |language=en}}</ref>, a lovely leafy area where visitors can stop on their route to Eilat. Sapir Park is a gem in the desert because it has a lovely lake in the middle, a waterfall, a flowing spring, large lawns, exotic vegetation, shaded picnic places, and an amazing sculpture garden.
==Population and localities== ===Israel=== ====Demography==== The Israeli population of the region is 52,000,{{when|date= January 2024}} of whom 47,500 live in [[Eilat]] (52,753 in 2021), and just over 5,000 live in 20 small towns north of Eilat, the largest of which is [[Yotvata]], with a population (as of 2019) of 717 (735 in 2021).{{cn|date= January 2024}} Eilat is a [[City council (Israel)|city]], while all other towns are [[communal settlement]]s of the [[kibbutz]], [[moshav]] and [[Community settlement (Israel)|community settlement]] type.
====Localities==== Below is a list of Israeli localities in the Arava, from north to south. They belong to one [[city council (Israel)|city council]], Eilat, and three [[Regional council (Israel)|regional councils]]: [[Tamar Regional Council|Tamar]] (a), [[Central Arava Regional Council|Central Arava]] (b), and [[Hevel Eilot Regional Council|Hevel Eilot]] (c), all part of the [[Southern District (Israel)|Southern District]].
{{columns-list| *Moshav [[Ein Tamar]] (a) *Moshav [[Neot HaKikar]] (a) *[[Ir Ovot]], [[Community settlement (Israel)|community settlement]] (b) *Moshav [[Idan (moshav)|Idan]] (b) *Moshav [[Ein Hatzeva]] (a) *Moshav [[Hatzeva]] (b) *Moshav [[Ein Yahav]] (b) *[[Sapir, Israel|Sapir]], community settlement (b) *Moshav [[Tzofar]] (b) *[[Tzukim]], community settlement (b) *Moshav [[Paran, Israel|Paran]] (b) *Kibbutz [[Yahel]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Neot Smadar]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Neve Harif]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Lotan (kibbutz)|Lotan]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Ketura (kibbutz)|Ketura]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Grofit]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Yotvata]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Samar, Israel|Samar]] (c) *Kibbutz [[Elifaz, Israel|Elifaz]] (c) *[[Be'er Ora]], community settlement (c) *Kibbutz [[Eilot]] (c) *[[Eilat]] }}
===Jordan=== ====Demography==== The total Jordanian population in the region is 103,000, of whom 96,000 live in [[Aqaba]]{{when|date= January 2024}} (95,048 as of 2021).
In 2004, the Jordanian administrative district of Wadi Araba had a population of 6,775.<ref>Jordan Department of Statistics. 2004</ref>
Five major [[Bedouin#Jordan |Bedouin tribes]] comprise eight settlements on the Jordanian side: Al-S'eediyeen ({{lang|ar|السعيديين}}), Al-Ihewat ({{lang|ar|الإحيوات}}), Al-Ammareen/Amareen ({{lang|ar|العمارين}}; see also [[Palestinian Bedouin#Population |Palestinian Bedouin]]), Al-Rashaideh/Rashaydeh ({{lang|ar|الرشايدة}}; see also [[Palestinian Bedouin#Population |Palestinian Bedouin]]), and [[Al-Azazmeh]] ({{lang|ar|العزازمة}}), as well as smaller tribes of the Al-Oseifat ({{lang|ar|العصيفات}}), Al-Rawajfeh ({{lang|ar|الرواجفة}}), Al-Manaja'h ({{lang|ar|المناجعة}}), and Al-Marzaqa ({{lang|ar|المرزقة}}), among others.{{cn|date=February 2022}} The main economic activities for these Arabah residents revolve around [[Herding Sheep|herding sheep]], [[agriculture]], [[Handicraft|handicrafts]], and serving in the [[Royal Jordanian Army|Jordanian Army]].{{cn|date= January 2024}}
====Localities==== Below is a list of Jordanian population clusters in Wadi Araba:
*[[Aqaba]] *[[Feifa]] *[[Safi, Jordan|Safi]] *[[Al Mazraa]]
==Landmarks==
[[Timna Valley Park]] is notable for its prehistoric rock carvings, some of the oldest copper mines in the world, and a convoluted cliff called King Solomon's pillars. On the Jordanian side is [[Wadi Rum]], famous among rock climbers, hikers, campers, and lovers of the outdoors. There is the Jordanian copper mining area of [[Wadi Feynan]], including the site of [[Khirbat en-Nahas]], corresponding to the one from Timna Valley in the west.
Feynan Ecolodge was opened in [[Wadi Feynan]] by the [[Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature]] in 2005.
==See also== * [[Arava Institute for Environmental Studies]], academic program in Israel * [[Nahal HaArava]], a wadi in the northern part of the Arava * [[Negev]] * [[Sands of Samar]], an expanse of sand dunes in the southern Arava * [[Southern District (Israel)]] * [[Wadi Araba Crossing]], southernmost border crossing between Jordan and Israel
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Arabah}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090226183257/http://www.rscn.org.jo/orgsite/Group1/MediaCenter/PhotoGallery/WadiFeynan/tabid/262/Default.aspx WadiFeynan Eco-Lodge] *[http://www.arava.org/ The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies] *[http://www.rscn.org.jo Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature] *[http://waarp.tripod.com/ Wadi Araba Archaeological Research Project]: Integrating Investigations of the Cultural Landscape of Wadi Araba since 1996. For Publications, see http://wadiaraba.tripod.com/waarpubs.htm *[http://www.wadiarabahproject.man.ac.uk/ Wadi Arabah Project: Crossing the Rift] * [http://www.ifao.egnet.net/archeologie/wadi-araba/ French Institute of Oriental Archaeology] *[https://acor.digitalrelab.com/index.php?s=filter=place_name:Wadi%20‘Araba%20(Jordan) Photos of Wadi ‘Araba] at the [[American Center of Research]]
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[[Category:Deserts of Israel]] [[Category:Deserts of Jordan]] [[Category:Great Rift Valley]] [[Category:Israel–Jordan relations]] [[Category:Edom]] [[Category:Important Bird Areas of Israel]] [[Category:Important Bird Areas of Jordan]] [[Category:Books of Samuel locations]]