Where is Palestine in the World?
Palestine is the subject of considerable political controversy, and these historical issues affect how it is viewed in a geographic sense as well. There is a wealth of discussion circling about regarding the country to which Palestine belongs. Palestine technically separated from Israel in November of 1988, but everyone does not respect this official declaration of independence. Depending on personal preferences and political beliefs, people might disagree with Palestine being classified as separate from Israel.
For example, Russian government officials - as do advocates for Palestine’s total freedom - define Palestine as an independent sovereign state, meaning it does not associate with any country and rules itself on its own terms. In other words, Palestine is self-governed. No matter the specific defining points, it is clear that Palestine includes parts of, if not all of, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. An inarguable aspect of Palestine’s location is that it is part of the Middle East. For the sake of consistency, the information in this article will rely on data collected by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS).
Levels of Elevation: Highest, Lowest, and Average Points
In most areas, Palestine hovers around an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level. The tallest point in Palestine is estimated to be 2,890 feet above sea level. This point is located at the top of a mountain by the name of Jabal aţ Ţūr in the West Bank. The lowest point of elevation is located in the Dead Sea, where the depth drops to 1,407.48 feet below sea level.
GPS Coordinates and Location Relative to Other Countries
Palestine is positioned at a latitude of 31.9522° N and a longitude of 35.2332° E. Situated in the eastern hemisphere, Palestine is north of the equator, placing it in the northern hemisphere as well.
Total Area, Population, and Density of Palestine
The total area of Palestine is approximately 2,400 square miles. The most recent census, conducted in 2018, reports that Montenegro has a population of approximately 5,109,814 people. The population density can be found using these two values. By dividing the population by the total area of Palestine, we can determine an estimate of the number of people in Palestine compared to the available land. In other words, the population density is about 2,129.08, meaning there are roughly 2,130 people per square mile in Palestine.
Palestine is not a country, but it is a region or state that is recognized by the United Nations as an observer state. This is a region with a population of 5 million, and a great deal of war, political, and religious conflict that continues today. Today, it is governed by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its Gaza Strip is empowered by the militant group Hamas, an organization branded as terrorists by both Israel and the United States.
The state of Palestine is located on both sides of Israel, with the West Bank being a large section of land just west of the Jordan River, but east of Israel. The Gaza Strip is a separate region of land, located on the southeast section bordering Israel. The region of Palestine calls Jerusalem its capital, but Jerusalem is under the government of Israel. As such, the region of Palestine and its surrounding regions is known as the Holy Land.
Palestine Conflict
Many people are confused about the conflict in Palestine, and no wonder. Even with news reports today, it is difficult to determine who is the prevailing power. Palestine confuses everyone, even world leaders, today. Its people are still frequently protected for humanitarian purposes when war breaks out, which is a regular occasion in this region. Today’s Palestinians are typically Christian, Muslim, Jews, and Druze. The Jewish Jews are the least favored people in the region, but it would depend on who you ask.
At the end of World War II, the United Nations developed the Partition Plan to recommend all Jewish and Arab states to become a known international region. The Arabs resisted, and still do today. This resistance has resulted in invasions and war, with Israel frequently in the middle of the conflict both geographically and literally. During the Six Day War, Israel fought with Jordan to win the West Bank and Egypt to gain the Gaza Strip, but it is still conflict that remains today, frequently with missile fire.