The geographical region north of the hills of Jerusalem, lying between the Jordan rift valley and the Sharon coastal plain is known as the Samaria Mountain Range. This area is the heart of the Promised Land, and several important Biblical stones from the epic era of the patriarchs and matriarchs revolve around the mountains and valleys of Samaria.

After the conquest of this region under Joshua it was inhabited primarily by the Tribes of Ephraim, Menashe and Issachar, all of whom were later conquered and dispersed - "lost" to the turbulent events of history. Settling in their place were the Samaritans, a sect that they’re small in numbers still lives in the region today.

Infamous for an unusual revenge taken after the rape of Dina (Genesis 34), the Biblical city of Shechem is dominated by the mountains of Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebel. On Mt. Gerizim Joshua renewed the Covenant of the Tribes of Israel.

The "capital" of the Tribes of Israel under the independent Kingdom of Omri was Sebastia, conquered and destroyed by the Assyrians and only restored to its glory under Herod and Roman rule.