Judea, Geographic region in southern Israel.
Judea is a historical region in southern Israel that stretches from Jerusalem to Beersheba and is shaped by mountain ranges, deep valleys and limestone formations. The highest points reach about 2500 feet and drop eastward toward the desert, while gentler hills open westward toward the coastal plain.
In the 10th century BCE, King David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom, which extended across the surrounding mountains and valleys. The region remained the political and religious center of the Jewish people until the destruction of the Temple in 587 BCE.
The name stems from the Hebrew tribe of Judah, whose history reaches back to biblical times and whose traces appear in many places across the region today. Visitors encounter a mix of agricultural traditions, religious customs and modern life in the villages and smaller towns scattered across the hills.
The mountains and valleys can be explored through several nature reserves and hiking trails that lead in different directions from Jerusalem. Sturdy footwear is recommended because of the rocky terrain and sometimes steep paths, especially during the drier months from April to October.
Hundreds of natural caves run through the limestone mountains and served for thousands of years as dwellings, storage spaces and refuges. Some of these caves remain accessible today and show traces of earlier use by people from different periods.
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