Israel Nature

Flora and fauna

Israel's plant and animal life is rich and diverse, in part due to the country's geographic location, which sits at the junction of three continents. Approximately 2,600 types of plants have been identified, ranging from alpine species on the slopes of the northern mountains to species from the Sahara on Arava in the south.

Israel is the northern boundary for the presence of plants like papyrus and the southern boundary for others like the red coral peony. 

Natural forests, which consist mainly of golden oaks, cover part of Galilee, Mount Carmel and other mountainous areas. In spring, rockrose and thorny broom predominate, leaving the region with pink, white and yellow colors.

Nature conservation

In an effort to conserve the natural environment, stringent laws have been enacted to protect nature and wildlife, making it illegal to remove even common flowers from the roadside.

Responsible for advancing nature conservation, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority strives to protect the landscape and natural environment. More than 150 nature reserves and 65 national parks across the country, under the supervision of the Authority, cover approximately 1000 square kilometers.

Approximately 20 reserves have been developed for public use, with visitor centers, roads and hiking trails, attracting more than two million people each year. One of Israel's most important regions – Mount Carmel – has been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Program.