Plain of Manasseh
Encyclopedia
The Plain of Manasseh
is a geographical region in northern Israel, located on the Carmel Range, between Mount Carmel
and Mount Amir/Umm al-Fahm
. While it is part of the mountain range, it is actually just 200 m above sea level on average, and peaks at 400 m. The plain is bordered by the Jezreel Valley
to the northeast, the Yokne'am Stream to the northwest, Wadi Ara
to the southeast, and the Nadiv Valley to the southwest. Ramat Menashe is called Balad ar-Ruha in Arabic
, meaning "Land of Winds".
The Plain of Menasseh, known also as Ramot Menashe, was officially added to UNESCO
's World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2011. The plain was credited with encompassing "a mosaic of ecological systems that represent the Mediterranean Basin's version of the global evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands and scrub ecosystem types."
Manasseh (tribal patriarch)
Manasseh or Menashe was, according to the Book of Genesis, the first son of Joseph and Asenath. Asenath was an Egyptian woman whom Pharaoh gave to Joseph as wife, and the daughter of Potipherah, a priest of On. Manasseh was born in Egypt before the arrival of the children of Israel from Canaan...
is a geographical region in northern Israel, located on the Carmel Range, between Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel ; , Kármēlos; , 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. Archaeologists have discovered ancient wine and oil presses at various locations on Mt. Carmel...
and Mount Amir/Umm al-Fahm
Umm al-Fahm
Umm al-Fahm is a city in the Haifa District of Israel with a population of 43,300, nearly all of whom are Arab citizens of Israel. The city is situated on the Umm al-Fahm mountain ridge, the highest point of which is Mt. Iskander , overlooking Wadi Ara...
. While it is part of the mountain range, it is actually just 200 m above sea level on average, and peaks at 400 m. The plain is bordered by the Jezreel Valley
Jezreel Valley
-Etymology:The Jezreel Valley takes its name from the ancient city of Jezreel which was located on a low hill overlooking the southern edge of the valley, though some scholars think that the name of the city originates from the name of the clan which founded it, and whose existence is mentioned in...
to the northeast, the Yokne'am Stream to the northwest, Wadi Ara
Wadi Ara
Wadi Ara or Nahal Iron , refers to an area within Israel that is mostly populated by Arabs. It is located northwest of the Green Line and is mostly within Israel's Haifa District. Today, Highway 65 runs through the wadi.-Geography:...
to the southeast, and the Nadiv Valley to the southwest. Ramat Menashe is called Balad ar-Ruha in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, meaning "Land of Winds".
The Plain of Menasseh, known also as Ramot Menashe, was officially added to UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
's World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2011. The plain was credited with encompassing "a mosaic of ecological systems that represent the Mediterranean Basin's version of the global evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands and scrub ecosystem types."
Localities
The following localities are located on the Plain of Manasseh:- Dalya
- Ein HaEmekEin HaEmekEin HaEmek is a communal settlement in northern Israel. Located near Yokneam, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 670....
- Ein HaShofetEin HashofetEin HaShofet is a kibbutz in northern Israel in the Hills of Ephraim. Located in the Ramat Menashe region around 30 km from the city of Haifa, close to Yokneam, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. In 2008 it had a population of 759....
- Gal'edGal'edGal'ed is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located in the Plain of Manasseh with an area of 14,500 dunams, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 405....
- Ramat HaShofetRamat HaShofetRamat HaShofet is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located in the Menashe Heights, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 578....
- Ramot MenasheRamot MenasheRamot Menashe is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located on the Menashe plateau between the Carmel mountain range and the Jezreel Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 468...