HaMakhtesh HaGadol (Hebrew: הַמַּכְתֵּשׁ הַגָּדוֹל, lit.

[1] A makhtesh has steep walls of resistant rock surrounding a deep closed valley.

One of five makhteshim in Israel and seven in the world, HaMakhtesh HaGadol is the second largest, and is drained by one river, Nahal Hatira.

HaMakhtesh HaGadol is near Yeruham, Israel's first development town, established in the early days of the state.

The location was chosen because the region was thought to be rich in natural resources.