Holy Land



The Holy Land, as a term used by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, is an area roughly located between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea but also includes the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River in Terra's Middle East. Historically, it is synonymous with both the Land of Israel and Palestine, and at Terra's Ascent was part of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Part of the significance of the land stems from the religious significance of Jerusalem, the holiest city to Judaism, the historical region of Jesus's ministry, and the Isra and Mi'raj event in Islam and Mount Nebo, where Moses presumably died. The perceived holiness of the land to Christianity was part of the motivation for the Crusades, as European Christians sought to win the Holy Land back from the Muslim Suljuq Turks. The Turks had taken over the Holy Land after defeating the Muslim Arabs, who had in turn taken control from the Christian Byzantine Empire.