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LAND SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION
OF THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP- PALESTINE
ABSTRACT
This publication is the first in Palestine that deals with the land system classification. It initiates an approach toward classifying the land of the West Bank and Gaza Strip into homogeneous areas with respect to various physical factors at two levels: land system and land unit. It is much more general and comprehensive than the agroecological zone approach. It helps in obtaining a first approximation of the production potential of the land resources and provides the physical database necessary for planning future agricultural and environmental development.
The West Bank is divided into twelve land systems based on a blend of climate geology and geomorphology while Gaza Strip is represented in one system based on these factors. Each system is divided into land units based on both the general land use and the landform pattern.
For each land system, general identification, areas and towns included, estimated surface area, climatic data, geology, relative relief classes, elevation distribution, slope classes, aspect classes, landform patterns, and general land use were described.
For each land unit, the main landform pattern, area, number of polygons, elevation distribution, landform elements, slopes, rock outcrop and land use were described.
Satellite images, aerial photographs compiled with fieldwork and other ancillary material collected from the literature were utilized to achieve this classification. The systems were named according either to the main city or town existing in the system or the geographic location if the first is not applicable.
The various planning projects could be directed to utilize either the land system or land unit levels depending on the final purpose for the project. It is recommended that for those who are interested in systematic and scientific approach for their projects to refer to the publisher for further and more detailed information that is difficult to list in this publication due to the size and diversity of data.