Sdot Negev Regional Council Sdot Negev Regional Council Sdot Negev Regional Council (, "Mo'atza Azorit Sdot Negev", "lit." Negev Fields Regional Council), formerly Azata Regional Council (, "Mo'atza Azorit Azata") is a regional council in the northwestern Negev desert in the Southern District of Israel. The Sdot Negev region council was established in 1951 by the Religious Zionist HaPoel HaMizrahi settlement movement. The council encompasses 16 communities: two kibbutzim, 12 moshavim and two community settlements. Despite frequent rocket attacks from the nearby Gaza Strip, the population of the Sdot Negev region has increased 55 percent in 2006–2012. Residents have cited the educational system, atmosphere
Incense Route – Desert Cities in the Negev of perched above the plains in the western part of the Ramon-Nafkha highlands. It is surrounded by a wall built of lime stone, and housed within it are the remnants of a Nabatean temple, a fort, a main street, two churches and a caravanserai. Also visible are short walls and arched roofs. The Haluza town is in the northern extremity of the nominated site and is a desert with sand dunes which has buried most of the town. Recent excavations have unearthed remnants of two churches, a tower, a wine press, a theater, and a road. The Mamshit town is