According to the Old Testament, the Israelites (the ancestors of today's Jews) wandered the wilderness (often mistranslated as desert) for 40 years.
There is currently no archaeological evidence to support the claim that this event actually happened historically (see also the attached Related Link.).
The Israelites were in the wilderness for forty years (Exodus 16:35, Numbers ch.14). During that time, they encamped at a number of places (Numbers ch.33). See also:
Forty years (Numbers ch.14)
Presumably, yes.
It was a punishment after the episode of the spies (Numbers ch.13-14).
God cursed the Israelites to wander the wilderness for 40 years as a consequence of their lack of faith and disobedience. This period served as a time of purification and repentance for the Israelites before entering the promised land.
The book of Numbers in the Bible primarily contains census data of the Israelites, detailing the organization and numbers of the tribes as they wander in the wilderness. It also includes various laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through Moses, as well as accounts of their experiences and challenges during their time in the wilderness.
Forty years.
Because of the episode of the spies (see Numbers ch.13-14). See this link for details on this and other related topics :http://judaism.answers.com/kosher/the-complaints-in-the-wilderness-and-the-golden-calf
Numbers ch.13-14.
because the Israelite's disobeyed God, that's why they had to wander for forty days in the wilderness
The number of israelites killed in the wilderness were many. as the bible says the entire generation of people who made the golden calf walked and died in the wilderness.
Moses.
who were the people wandering in the wilderness