Geography of Palestine

The coastal plain of Gaza is composed of sand dunes and fertile sandy sediments.

[3] The tectonic disposition of Palestine on the margin of the Dead Sea Transform has left it exposed to relatively frequent earthquakes, the most destructive of which were those of 31 BCE, 363, 749, and 1033.

[4] The Dead Sea is the largest body of water in Palestine, while the valley of Marj Sanur forms a seasonal lake.

Rain is scarce and generally falls between November and March, with annual precipitation rates approximately at 4.57 inches (116 mm).

[8] Natural resources of Palestine include mud extracts from the Dead Sea,[14] such as magnesium, potash and bromine.

[15] Palestine has a number of environmental issues; issues facing the Gaza Strip include desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne diseases; soil degradation; and depletion and contamination of underground water resources.

In the West Bank, many of the same issues apply; although fresh water is much more plentiful, access is restricted by the ongoing occupation of Palestine.