The West Bank's Geography: Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River

The West Bank is a landlocked territory bordered by two major water bodies:

• West: Mediterranean Sea — though the West Bank itself has no coastline; Israel's coastal plain lies between the Green Line and the sea.
• East: Jordan River — forms the eastern boundary, separating the West Bank from Jordan. The river flows south into the Dead Sea.

Clarification

The West Bank does not touch the Mediterranean. Its western border is the 1949 Armistice Line (Green Line) with Israel. The distance to the Mediterranean coast is 15–50 km.

Other Water Features

• Dead Sea: Southeast corner (lowest point on Earth, -430 m).
• Mountain aquifer: Critical shared groundwater resource.
• Wadis: Seasonal streams (Wadi Qelt, Wadi al-Far'a).

Geopolitical Context

Control over water—Jordan River allocations, aquifer access, Dead Sea mineral rights—is a core issue in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

The West Bank's hydro-geography defines its agriculture, settlement patterns, and conflict dynamics.