Difference between revisions of "Israel"

From Geohashing
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(Most recent hashes from the standard graticules)
imported>Yerushalmi
(Most recent hashes from the standard graticules)
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== Most recent hashes from the standard graticules ==
 
== Most recent hashes from the standard graticules ==
* May 13: The [[Beersheba, Israel|Beersheba]] point is in or near the parking lot of Plastic Magen Ind., in Kibbutz Magen.
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* May 16: The [[Beersheba, Israel|Beersheba]] point is southeast of Rahat.
* May 14: The [[Beersheba, Israel|Beersheba]] point is *again* near Kiryat Gat, this time in the archaeological park just opened last year of the ancient Philistine city of Gat.
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* May 17: The [[Jerusalem, Israel|Jerusalem]] point is, fantastically, on what may even be a legal beach of the Dead Sea. The [[Haifa East, Israel|Haifa]] point is between Kafr Kama and Smadar Illit, Israel.
* May 15: The algorithm loves Kiryat Gat! For the third time this week it's [[Beersheba, Israel|within 10km of the city]] -- over to the west, in a field north of Cheletz.
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* May 18: The algorithm loves Kiryat Gat! For the fourth time this week it's [[Beersheba, Israel|within 10km of the city]], this time in the desert to the southwest.
  
 
== Most recent hashes from the alternative graticule ==
 
== Most recent hashes from the alternative graticule ==

Revision as of 07:53, 17 May 2009

The current map as of 04/04/2009. The implementation can be found here

Israel is a small country, divided between nine graticules from (29,34) to (33,35). The graticules that encompass its major population centers each have their own problems: some are almost entirely in the Mediterranean Sea, others include much of the disputed territories, and still others contain a truly staggering amount of desert. Some even contain all three. Almost all of them include some area in neighboring countries of varying degrees of unfriendliness.

As a result, finding a hash that is reachable and safe can be difficult. It is literally impossible for all four of Israeli's major graticules to come up with reachable hashes on the same day; virtually impossible for three; and only occasionally for two. On most days, only one of the four hashes is in safe territory. Sometimes there are none.

Some Israelis may therefore prefer to use an alternative algorithm, which defines a polygon that hugs the borders of the state of Israel. An implementation of the algorithm can be found here; red zones define areas that are deemed too dangerous to access. (Geohashers are encouraged to edit the red zones to help other geohashers avoid IDF fire zones, hostile settlements, etc.) In order to calculate safe points that fall within the green zone, but outside of the red zones, the algorithm uses the previous day's exchange rates, as issued by the Bank of Israel. However, even this algorithm has its problems, because many hashes end up in desert areas, and because many safe areas are outside of the standard borders of Israel.

In summary, geohashing in Israel is tough, and any points should be evaluated for political safety first and technical reachability second. This page will chronicle the reachable hashes for Israelis on any given day.

Important:

  • You cannot claim achievements for reaching the alternative algorithm's point. It is solely used for the purpose of arranging meetups.
  • If you are planning an expedition, make sure you announce it well in advance so that other geohashers will know where you are going. It's not very helpful if one geohasher is attending a standard graticule point while another is attending the alternate graticule point, especially if both are reachable on a given day!


Most recent hashes from the standard graticules

  • May 16: The Beersheba point is southeast of Rahat.
  • May 17: The Jerusalem point is, fantastically, on what may even be a legal beach of the Dead Sea. The Haifa point is between Kafr Kama and Smadar Illit, Israel.
  • May 18: The algorithm loves Kiryat Gat! For the fourth time this week it's within 10km of the city, this time in the desert to the southwest.

Most recent hashes from the alternative graticule

Past expeditions in Israel

Graticules and Participants

Those are the geohash graticules in Israel, plus current users:

Any other users: Don't just lurk! Add yourselves to the wiki pages, so we can know who's participating and try to arrange meetups!