Palestine

Guide Note

Palestine refers to a historical and geographic region roughly encompassing the territory from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. In historical and geographical terms it can refer to ancient Palestine or the area contained within the British Mandate of Palestine. Within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, the term has a much greater and more contentious meaning, the exact terms of which are the matter of intense debate. Palestine is term distinct from the Palestinian State or the Palestinian National Authority.

Fast Facts

1. Also known as Canaan, Land of Israel, and Holy Land
2. Roughly includes land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River
3. Often refers to the land contained within the British Mandate of Palestine
4. Modern sense of the term refers to the State of Palestine, the exact borders of which are still undefined
5. The population of the region, including modern Israeli and Palestinian territories is between 9.8 and 10.8 million