ABSTRACT
Israel, though one of the smallest countries in the world, is remarkable for its topographical and climatic diversity. At one stage Israel’s settlement planners, in their desire to secure areas more or less homogeneous, contemplated sub-dividing the country into thirty-four planning regions. The principal rocks from which the soils of Israel have developed are chalk, dolomite, granite, basalt, and sandstone. Peat soils were formed through the accumulation and decay of vegetation, principally papyrus, in the water of the Hulah marshes. The northern section of the Upper Galilean highlands lies outside the borders of Israel; the lower section, which is part of Israel’s territory, includes some of the highest mountains in the country. In addition to poultry-breeding, one highly popular branch of agriculture in the district, sheep-raising has registered record achievements. The Israeli highlands can be divided into the Mountains of Galilee in the north; the Mountains of Samaria in the central district; and the Mountains of Judea in the south.
