Rebecca Stadlen Amir
April 5, 2018, Updated June 14, 2020

 Did you know more than half of Israel’s total land area is desert? Despite much of the land being unpopulated, the rugged mountains and serene landscapes are brimming with natural beauty.

From the Ramon Crater in the Negev desert, the largest erosion crater in the world, to the valleys of the Arava, the deserts in Israel are home to enchanting natural wonders, blossoming agriculture, scientific innovation and extraordinary wildlife of all sorts.

While on the surface, miles and miles of desert may appear to be the same, we invite you to take a closer look and discover the unique magic of Israel’s deserts.

The sun sets as a flock of camels walk in the Judean desert. Photo by Maor Kinsbursky/FLASH90
A long-exposure photo shows the stars in the Dead Sea. Photo by Edi Israel/FLASH90
View of the Eilat Mountains, in southern Israel. Photo by Maor Kinsbursky/Flash90
Amram Pillars in the Arava, southern Israel. Photo by Yossi Zamir/FLASH90
A Negev Gazelle in southern Israel. Photo by Haim Shohat/FLASH90
The Ein Gedi Beach at the Dead Sea. Photo by Yoav Ari Dudkevitch/FLASH90
Palm trees in the desert near the Dead Sea. Photo by Maor Kinsbursky/FLASH90
View of the Judean desert. Photo by Maor Kinsbursky/FLASH90
A goat is silhouetted by the sunset at the Ramon Crater in the southern Israeli desert. Photo by Maor Kinsbursky/FLASH90

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