The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Permanent status negotiations began on 5 May 1996.
Geography
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel
Geographic coordinates:
31 25 N, 34 20 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total area:
360 sq km
land area:
360 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total:
62 km
border countries:
Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km
Coastline:
40 km
Maritime claims:
Israeli occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
International disputes:
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
Climate:
temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain:
flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain
lowest point:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point:
Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land:
13%
permanent crops:
32%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
55%
Irrigated land:
115 sq km (1992 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
desertification
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Geographic note:
there are 24 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (August 1995 est.)
