Plain of Manasseh

For the kibbutz, see Ramot Menashe.

The Plain of Manasseh (Hebrew: רָמַת מְנַשֶּׁה‎‎, Ramat Menashe, lit. Manasseh Height) 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".[1]

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."[2]

Localities

The following localities are located on the Plain of Manasseh:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Vilnai, Ze'ev (1980). "Ramat Menashe". Ariel Encyclopedia. Volume 8. Israel: Am Oved. p. 7585.  (Hebrew)
  2. ^ Rinat, Zafrir (4 July 2011). "UNESCO recognizes Ramot Menashe area as 'Biosphere Reserve'". Haaretz. http://www.haaretz.com/unesco-recognizes-ramot-menashe-area-as-biosphere-reserve-1.371300. Retrieved 5 July 2011. "Efforts to preserve nature and open spaces in Israel enjoyed yesterday international recognition, with UNESCO affording the area of Ramot Menashe the title of "Biosphere Reserve," adding it to the organization's Man and the Biosphere program."