Jericho is a city located in the eastern West Bank, near the Jordan River, and about 16 km north of the Dead Sea. The city has the lowest sea level in the world. The name “Jericho” means “Moon City” in the Canaanite language.
Since 2007, according to statistics, Jericho has had a population of 18,346. The city was under Jordanian Administration from 1949 until 1967. In 1994, it was the second city to be handed over to the Palestinian Authority.
Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest inhabited cities on earth. Its history goes back to 10,000 years BCE. Next to Tel Qaramel in Syria, the city is believed to feature the oldest stone tower in the world. It is also famous for agriculture, especially crops such as citrus, banana, palm trees, and cereals, as well as any crop that thrives in a very hot climate.
Winter is the ideal time to visit Jericho since the weather during the winter is warm, reaching a temperature of 20C. The city has many hotel to accommodate visitors. There are many parks in Jericho that provide outdoor activities for families and visitors alike.
Jericho’s top tourist attraction is the Dead Sea, which spans 50 km in length, and 15 km in width. It is the most saline sea on earth, and its salt concentration is seven times higher than the concentration of salt in the oceans on earth. The sea contains a mud filled with minerals and salts, and that is renowned for its beneficial effects on the skin. It is also one of the richest types of clay.
In addition to the Dead Sea, a historical site just 5 km north of Jericho is an attraction that shouldn’t be missed. It is a palace that is an Islamic landmark. The site includes a palace, an ornate bath complex, and an agricultural estate.
