Gaza Strip Geography
LocationMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel
Geographic coordinates
31 25 N, 34 20 E
Area
total: 360 sq km
land: 360 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 62 km
border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km
Coastline
40 km
Maritime claims
Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
Climate
temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain
flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m
Natural resources
arable land, natural gas
Land use
arable land: 28.95%
permanent crops: 21.05%
other: 50% (2001)
Irrigated land
120 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards
droughts
Environment - current issues
desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources
Geography - note
there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (February 2002 est.)
