Skip to main content

WFBThe World Factbook

Countries
Maps
References
About

West Bank

Photos

9 Photos

9 Photos

Commonly known as "the oldest city in the world," Jericho is an important historical, cultural, and political center located northwest of the Dead Sea. The city is perhaps best known from the Biblical story of a great victory over its Canaanite citizens by the Israelite leader Joshua. In the story, the walls of the heavily fortified city were destroyed with divine assistance (ca. 1400 B.C.). The site of ancient Jericho, known today as Tell es-Sultan, has been the focus of several archaeological excavations to investigate the Biblical story. The original settlement was built on a hill, or "tell." The results of these excavations suggest that the walls of Tell es-Sultan have been built and rebuilt many times, due mainly to collapse caused by earthquakes, which are common in the region. One of these events may be the basis for the story of Joshua. Modern-day Jericho is a popular tourist destination due to its pleasant climate, historical sites, and religious significance. This photograph shows the city center and the original settlement mound of Tell es-Sultan. Total distance across the image is approximately 8 km (5 mi). Two large refugee camps are located to the northwest and south of the city center. The high building density of the refugee camps contrasts sharply with the more open city center and irrigated fields (green polygonal patches) of Jericho, and illustrates one of the physical consequences of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the region. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Commonly known as "the oldest city in the world," Jericho is an important historical, cultural, and political center located northwest of the Dead Sea. The city is perhaps best known from the Biblical story of a great victory over its Canaanite citizens by the Israelite leader Joshua. In the story, the walls of the heavily fortified city were destroyed with divine assistance (ca. 1400 B.C.). The site of ancient Jericho, known today as Tell es-Sultan, has been the focus of several archaeological excavations to investigate the Biblical story. The original settlement was built on a hill, or "tell." The results of these excavations suggest that the walls of Tell es-Sultan have been built and rebuilt many times, due mainly to collapse caused by earthquakes, which are common in the region. One of these events may be the basis for the story of Joshua. Modern-day Jericho is a popular tourist destination due to its pleasant climate, historical sites, and religious significance. This photograph shows the city center and the original settlement mound of Tell es-Sultan. Total distance across the image is approximately 8 km (5 mi). Two large refugee camps are located to the northwest and south of the city center. The high building density of the refugee camps contrasts sharply with the more open city center and irrigated fields (green polygonal patches) of Jericho, and illustrates one of the physical consequences of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the region. Photo courtesy of NASA.

A Bedouin encampment on the road to Jericho from Jerusalem. Bedouins are constantly on the move to feed and water their herds.

A Bedouin encampment on the road to Jericho from Jerusalem. Bedouins are constantly on the move to feed and water their herds.

A nighttime view of Jerusalem and Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, taken from the Mount of Olives.

A nighttime view of Jerusalem and Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, taken from the Mount of Olives.

The dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site traditionally identified as the tomb of Christ, in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site traditionally identified as the tomb of Christ, in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock, located on Haram al-Sharif (also known as the Temple Mount), in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock, located on Haram al-Sharif (also known as the Temple Mount), in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock, located on Haram al-Sharif (also known as the Temple Mount), in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock, located on Haram al-Sharif (also known as the Temple Mount), in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The hallway leading to the Dome of the Rock in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

The hallway leading to the Dome of the Rock in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

A scene from the Old City in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

A scene from the Old City in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

Usage

Factbook photos—obtained from a variety of sources—are in the public domain and are copyright free.

View Copyright Notice

Agency

About CIA
Organization
Director of the CIA
CIA Museum
News & Stories

Careers

Working at CIA
How We Hire
Student Programs
Browse CIA Jobs

Resources

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Center for the Study of Intelligence (CSI)
The World Factbook
Spy Kids

Connect with CIA

Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube Flickr

Search CIA.gov Site Policies Privacy No FEAR Act Inspector General USA.gov Sitemap