1. Home
  2. / Interesting facts
  3. / The Lowest City In The World: Built Over 250 Meters Below Sea Level, It Has More Than 10,000 Years Of Continuous Human Occupation And Around 20,000 Inhabitants
Reading time 3 min of reading Comments 14 comments

The Lowest City In The World: Built Over 250 Meters Below Sea Level, It Has More Than 10,000 Years Of Continuous Human Occupation And Around 20,000 Inhabitants

Published on 13/12/2025 at 13:55
Updated on 13/12/2025 at 19:01
Jericó, cidade mais baixa do mundo
Imagem: Kamilokardona / Wikimedea Commons
  • Reação
  • Reação
  • Reação
  • Reação
  • Reação
  • Reação
153 pessoas reagiram a isso.
Reagir ao artigo

Situated in the Jordan Valley, Jericho gathers extreme negative altitude, about 20 thousand inhabitants, agriculture supported by the Jordan River, and archaeological records exceeding 10,000 years of constant human occupation

Located more than 250 meters below sea level in the Jordan Valley, Jericho features negative altitude, records of settlement for over 10,000 years, and about 20 thousand residents, combining extreme geography, irrigated agriculture, and continuous historical legacy.

Jericho, in the Palestine region, stands out for being more than 250 meters below sea level, in the Jordan Valley, gathering human occupation exceeding 10,000 years, about 20 thousand residents, and lasting historical, agricultural, and tourist relevance.

The city developed in a large geological depression known as the Rift Valley, an area shaped by tectonic movements that caused the gradual sinking of the soil over millennia.

YouTube Video

This geographic condition explains Jericho’s negative altitude and directly influences the arid climate and high temperatures recorded throughout practically the entire year.

Despite the intense heat, the proximity to the Jordan River ensured permanent access to water, a decisive factor for continuous human settlement and the city’s survival.

The availability of water resources enabled the emergence of stable agricultural practices, ensuring food and economic support to successive generations established in the region.

Oldest city in the world, Jericho
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Janusz J.

Life Under The Heat And Fertile Soil In The Lowest City In The World

Daily life in Jericho is marked by adaptation to high temperatures, which affect work hours, eating habits, and architectural solutions adopted by the local population.

The approximately 20 thousand residents live daily with extreme heat, organizing their routines to reduce sun exposure and maintain thermal comfort in their homes.

Irriagated agriculture by the Jordan River constitutes the economic base, favored by fertile soil formed over thousands of years of natural deposits.

Fruits and vegetables cultivated in the region supply domestic consumption and boost regional trade, keeping agricultural activity as the structural axis of the city.

YouTube Video

Curiosities That Cross The Centuries

Jericho is considered one of the oldest human settlements in the world, with archaeological remains indicating continuous occupation for over 10,000 years.

This prolonged permanence makes the city a rare example of uninterrupted human adaptation in a desert environment with severe climate.

The city is also mentioned in sacred texts, which enhances its symbolic value and attracts visitors interested in history, archaeology, and religious tradition.

Ancient walls, mentioned in biblical passages, remain as elements of the historical landscape and spark curiosity among scholars and tourists.

Oldest city in the world, Jericho
Landscape of Jericho, Palestine. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Diego Delso

The Lowest City In The World: A Legacy Of Resilience

The combination of negative altitude, arid climate, and soil fertility has established Jericho as a unique case of urban continuity over time.

Between the desert and the river, the city remained active for millennia, supported by human ingenuity and strategic use of available natural resources.

Oldest city in the world, Jericho
Kipros Fortress near Jericho, West Bank. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Bukvoed

In addition to agriculture, historical tourism contributes to the local economy, reinforcing the connection between ancient history and contemporary life.

As a complementary detail, the unique geography of the Jordan Valley continues to be a central element for studies on human settlement, tectonics, and environmental adaptation, keeping Jericho as a living historical reference despite the extreme climate.

With information from Revista Ana Maria.

Inscreva-se
Notificar de
guest
14 Comentários
Mais recente
Mais antigos Mais votado
Feedbacks
Visualizar todos comentários
Juracy carlos
Juracy carlos
21/12/2025 00:16

Se está 250 mts abaixo do nível do mar , como o Rio Jordão deságua nele?

Antonio
Antonio
20/12/2025 10:13

Deve ser igual a Blumenau em SC está no meio de morros no verão e complicado, mas nãodeixa de ser bela, e rica na economia e história

Valdir
Valdir
20/12/2025 09:16

Quanta mentira a ciência tenta passar pra humanidade, como assim 250metros abaixo do nível do mar e ainda tem um dos maiores rios da região .o Rio corre pro mar e não imunda .pois a água é o melhor nível do mundo há,há,ha

Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Já publiquei milhares de matérias em portais reconhecidos, sempre com foco em conteúdo informativo, direto e com valor para o leitor. Fique à vontade para enviar sugestões ou perguntas

Share in apps
14
0
Adoraríamos sua opnião sobre esse assunto, comente!x