Small area of Israel differs incredible variety of physical and climatic conditions and the striking richness of flora and fauna. The length of the country from north to south is only 470 miles, but it is such a diversity of landscapes, some in other countries is possible only at distances of thousands of kilometers. In the north of Mount Hermon rises with its snowy slopes and alpine fauna and flora, and to the south stretches the Gulf of Eilat, with its stunning beauty of coral reefs and fish of the fantastic colors, representing the tropical fauna. Between these two points lie zone deserts, flourishing oases, Mediterranean forest and valley from the Dead Sea - the lowest point on Earth's surface.
Special geographical situation of Israel at the crossroads of three continents, and climate change, which this area have been subjected for millennia, have resulted in unique in its abundance and composition of flora and fauna. This wealth is expressed in 2600 species of plants (150 of which are found exclusively in Israel), 7 species of amphibians, nearly 100 species of reptiles, 500 species of birds and about a hundred species of mammals. Despite the small area of the country, it presents two quite different and even contrasting climatic zones: Mediterranean in the north and desert in the south. Between these two physiographic regions is a transition band, where desert flora and fauna of the Mediterranean is gradually replaced.
Israel serves as a meeting place for the three vegetation belts: the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and the Sahara-Sind - and demonstrates exceptional in its diversity collection of herbs, especially annuals and geofitnyh typical for all three zones. The territory of Palestine is the southern boundary of the most significant on the number of plants Mediterranean area. Representatives of the flora Sahara and Asian deserts at this point of the planet go above all to the north and faced here with the Irano-Turanian species for which Israel serves as the western boundary of distribution. The Land of Israel - the northernmost limit of plants such as Egyptian papyrus, and the southernmost for others, like a bright red coral peony.
