Negev Desert

Negev Desert is situated in southern Israel. It has extremely high temperature due to its location. In the whole region of Negev there is very less rain. This desert is spread over half of the Israel land area and covers 55% of land area. It spreads over 13,000 km².
In the Desert there are number of interesting cultures and geological features. The rocky desert has brown, rocky, dusty mountains interrupted by wadis and deep craters. Northern, western and central Negev, the high plateau and the Arabah Valley are five different ecological regions of the desert.
The northern Negev and has fairly fertile soils and receives 300 mm of rain annually. The western Negev has light and partially sandy soils as it receives 250 mm of rain per year. The high plateau area has extreme temperatures in summer and winter. It is about 370 meter and 520 meter above sea level. It gets 100mm rain annually and has inferior and partially salty soils.
Its population was 2,356 in 1922, including 98 Jews and 235 Christians. In 1914 the Turkish authorities estimated the nomadic population at 55,000. Now, at least 75,000 citizens are living in 40 unrecognized villages of the desert.
More then 80% of Negev is used by Israel Defense Forces. They use it for training purpose. On the remaining part civilians live. To meet the Israel energy requirement the solar energy plants will be planned in the Negev Desert.