Jericho

Jericho is a city in the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, near the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. The Tell es-Sultan mound preserves remains of early urban life, including stone wall fortifications and a sequence of occupation layers from multiple eras. Archaeological finds indicate that late Neolithic communities built one of the first known defensive walls and towers in the world, around 8000 BCE, making Jericho a key site in studies of ancient urbanism. Over millennia Jericho has been ruled by various powers and has a long association with biblical narratives, including the story of the Walls of Jericho.

In modern times, Jericho is a Palestinian city and a center of local administration in the area. Its economy relies on agriculture, particularly date palms and citrus, and on tourism related to its archaeological sites and its location near the Dead Sea. The city also witnesses ongoing effects from the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, including security arrangements and border controls. Cultural and religious sites surrounding Jericho draw visitors, and nearby natural springs and desert landscapes contribute to its appeal.

The name Jericho is used for several other places in the world, including towns in the United States, but the West Bank city remains the most widely known reference.