Judaean Desert

The Judaean Desert is located east of Jerusalem (which is in the distance, at the top of the hill) and is formed by the topography of the Central Hill descending toward the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea (the lowest place on earth). It is very dry, as a result of being in the rain shadow that is created by the prevailing weather patterns that arrive at the Central Hill from the west. In addition, the soil is comprised mostly of Senonian limestone that erodes easily and does not retain moisture well.