Editing Kingdom of Judah (section)

== Geography ==
The Kingdom of Judah was located in the [[Judaean Mountains|Judean Mountains]], stretching from [[Jerusalem]] to [[Hebron]] and into the [[Negev|Negev Desert]]. The central ridge, ranging from forested and shrubland-covered mountains gently sloping towards the hills of the [[Shephelah]] in the west, to the dry and arid landscapes of the [[Judaean Desert]] descending into the [[Jordan Valley]] to the east, formed the kingdom's core.{{sfn|Hardin|2014|p=743}}

The northern border of Judah extended east–west from the northwestern shore of the [[Dead Sea]], passing near [[Jericho]] to the area of [[Gezer]]. To the west, the border ran from Gezer across the Shephelah to [[Beersheba]] in the northern Negev. In the east, Judah's boundaries followed the Arabah to the western shore of the Dead Sea. In prosperous periods, Judah's influence expanded, stretching southward to Beersheba and beyond, including [[Kadesh (biblical)|Kadesh Barnea]] and likely [[Kuntillet Ajrud]]. Its influence possibly extended to the [[Gulf of Aqaba|Gulf of Eilat]] in the south,{{sfn|Hardin|2014|p=743}} as well as the [[Israeli coastal plain|Coastal Plain]] in the west in [[Mesad Hashavyahu]] fortress.