VISITING MAKHTESH RAMON or RAMON CRATER (29th APRIL, 2009).

Located 38 km from Sede Boker, Ramon Crater is world's largest crater formed by erosion. The 40 km long, 2-10 km wide and 500m deep crater is shaped like an elongated heart. The Ramon Nature Reserve surrounding the crater is Israel's largest national park. The crater was supposed to be a part of the ancient Spice Route, a trade route used by the Nabateans 2,000 years ago. The only settlement in the area is a small town of Mitzpe Ramon. It is a geologist's paradise where one can find all sorts of rock formations. At the bottom of Ramon Crater some rocks are as old as 200 million years! Interestingly, Ramon Crater has a landscape that has the maximum resemblance with moon compared to any other place on earth. Another interesting site is the Albert Promenade which starts from the Visitors Center and goes along the edge of the Ramon Crater. In the middle of the promenade there is a "bird balcony" which hangs above the crater and offers the best view around over the crater. Visitors can see birds flying under their feet rather than over their head!