What is "tzukim"

Tzukim (, lit. Cliffs), also Zuqim, is a communal settlement in southern Israel. Located in the Arava, 8 km south of Tzofar, it falls under jurisdiction of the Central Arava Regional Council. Tzukim was founded in 2001 on land vacated by the Bildad army camp. Bildad also served as a transit point for new settlement in the Arava. The first settlement phase was supposed to begin in 2003, with fifty families. The first settles were people in their 40s from central Israel. Tzukim's economy is supposed to be based on tourism. 200 guest houses are planned here as well as restaurants and spas. As of 2008, twelve rooms have been built and another 70 under construction. 25 families now live in the community on a permanent basis and another 20 are in the final stages of building homes.