Naqab

The Naqab, known in Hebrew as the Negev, is a desert region in southern Israel. It covers roughly 12,000 square kilometers, about half of Israel’s land area. The region extends from the coastal plain in the west to the Jordanian border in the east and includes arid plains, mountains, and valleys.

In Arabic, the region is called al-Naqab. Notable features include the Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon), the Arava Valley, the Timna Valley with ancient copper mines, and the Negev Highlands.

The climate is arid, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Rainfall is scarce, typically under 200 millimeters per year, and some areas receive far less. Temperatures can exceed 40°C in summer, and diurnal temperature variation is common.

Beersheba is the region’s largest city, with Dimona, Arad, and Mitzpe Ramon also serving as urban centers. The northern Negev hosts significant Bedouin communities. Economic activity combines irrigation-based agriculture, manufacturing in cities, and tourism focused on desert landscapes, parks, and historical sites; solar energy projects are also present.

The Naqab has ancient human presence, with sites connected to Nabateans and caravan routes. It was part of various empires in antiquity, later the Ottoman Empire, and the British Mandate before the 1948 founding of Israel. Since then, urban and regional development has continued, including higher education institutions such as Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba.

Protected areas and tourism: The region contains national parks and reserves, including the Ramon Nature Reserve, Avdat, and Timna Park, drawing visitors for hiking, geology, and desert ecology.