Mount Carmel | |
---|---|
Mount Carmel |
|
Mount Carmel at sunset, as seen from the entrance of Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael
|
|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 525.4 m (1,724 ft) |
Dimensions | |
Length | 39 km (24 mi) |
Width | 8 km (5.0 mi) |
Naming | |
Etymology | Literally, in Hebrew: God's vineyard and Mount St Elijah in Arabic |
Geography | |
Country | Israel |
District | Haifa |
Range coordinates | 32°44′N 35°03′E / 32.733°N 35.050°ECoordinates: 32°44′N 35°03′E / 32.733°N 35.050°E |
Geology | |
Type of rock | Limestone and flint |
Mount Carmel
Hebrew: הר הכרמל Karem El/Har Ha'Karmel
Mount Carmel (Hebrew: הַר הַכַּרְמֶל, Har HaKarmel ISO 259-3 Har ha Karmell (lit. God's vineyard); Arabic: الكرمل, Kurmul or جبل مار إلياس Jabal Mar Elyas 'Mount Saint Elias') is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. The range is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a number of towns are located there, most notably the city of Haifa, Israel's third largest city, located on the northern slope.
The phrase "Mount Carmel" has been used in three distinct ways:
The Carmel range is approximately 6.5 to 8 kilometres (4.0 to 5.0 miles) wide, sloping gradually towards the southwest, but forming a steep ridge on the northeastern face, 546 metres (1,791 feet) high. The Jezreel Valley lies to the immediate northeast. The range forms a natural barrier in the landscape, just as the Jezreel Valley forms a natural passageway, and consequently the mountain range and the valley have had a large impact on migration and invasions through the Levant over time. The mountain formation is an admixture of limestone and flint, containing many caves, and covered in several volcanic rocks. The sloped side of the mountain is covered with luxuriant vegetation, including oak, pine, olive, and laurel trees.