Palestine (region)

A geographical territory in Western Asia that includes Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and, in some definitions, sections of western Jordan is often referred to as Palestine; however, the term is more broadly defined.

Originally used by ancient Greek authors, the term was eventually adopted by the Roman province Syria Palaestina, the Byzantine province Palaestina Prima, and the Islamic province district of Jund Filastin, among others. Most of the territory claimed by Israel, as well as parts of Syria, ash-Sham, and Lebanon, is included in this region, which also includes the biblical regions known as "the State of Israel," "the Holy Land," and "the Land Of opportunity." It also includes the southern portion of larger regional designations such as Canaan, Syria, ash-Sham, and the Levant.

It has a turbulent history as a crossroads for religion, culture, trade, and politics, having been located at the intersection of Egypt, Syria, and Arabia, and having been the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity. It has been ruled by a variety of peoples, including ancient Egyptians, Canaanites, Israelites, and Judeans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Achaemenids, ancient Greeks, the Jewish Hasmonean Kingdom, Romans, Parthians, Sasanians, Byzantines, the Arab Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, and Fatimid caliphates, Crusaders, Ayyubid.

It has been almost a thousand years since the limits of the area were established. Israel and Palestine are now included in the politically defined area, which is defined as follows: (i.e. the Palestinian territories).