Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Gaza Strip

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Gaza Strip.

Natural Resources: Arable land and natural gas are the primary natural resources of the Gaza Strip. A modest amount of agricultural land supports the cultivation of olives, citrus fruits, and vegetables, though farming activity has been significantly constrained by ongoing conflict, water scarcity, and restricted access to land. Offshore natural gas reserves, discovered in the Mediterranean Sea, represent a potentially significant economic resource, though their development has been largely stalled due to political instability and the broader humanitarian crisis in the region. Access to freshwater is critically limited, with the coastal aquifer — the territory's main water source — severely overextracted and increasingly contaminated by seawater intrusion and inadequate sanitation infrastructure.
Natural Hazards: droughts

Current Environmental Issues: desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources

Detailed geography