The State of Israel

The State of Israel, located in the Middle East, borders with Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, and is located on the border between Asia and Africa.
The length of the country is 470 km, and width at the widest point is only 135 km. The size of the entire country is equal to one of the smaller national parks in the US. Despite the country’s size, it includes a uniquely wide variety of geographical and climatic regions, from forests, rivers, snow and mountains to deserts and savannas. On one side is the Mediterranean Sea, and on the other the Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth.

Israel’s location on the Syrian-African fault provides a glimpse of several unique natural phenomena and shapes, such as the Gulf of Eilat, the Arava desert, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the remnants of huge craters and volcanoes.
The climate in Israel is mostly bright, pleasant and warm. There is almost no rain during 8 months of each year. The average annual rainfall is 500 mm. In the southern desert regions, the climate is dry and hot.
Israel’s location is responsible for its rich and diverse plant and animal life, with over 500 bird species, more than 200 species of mammals, and over 2600 types of plants and flowers, 150 of which only grow in Israel. Israel has 65 parks and nature reserves. Due to regional water shortages, the national water conduit was constructed in the 1960’s from the Sea of Galilee to the south, and later a sophisticated water treatment industry was developed for the treatment of wastewater, desalination and water reservoirs.

Israel is a country of immigrants, and most of its citizens immigrated to Israel from various countries throughout the world. 78% of the population is Jewish, with the remaining population composed mainly of Arabs, as well as Druse, Bedouins, Circassians and Christians.
Most of Israel’s citizens live in 200 cities, with the rest residing in cooperative settlements, kibbutzim and communal settlements.

Israel’s central cities are:
Jerusalem - with more than 700,000 residents, Jerusalem is the historic capital of the Jewish people since the days of the Kingdom of David (3,000 years ago). The city is home to most government offices, the Knesset (Israeli parliament), Israel Museum, the Hebrew University, and sites sacred to the three religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Tel Aviv – this is the first Hebrew city of the modern era, with 360,000 residents. Tel Aviv is a modern city with entertainment, commercial, financial and industrial centers.
Haifa – with 273,000 residents, Haifa is a costal city with a port, industry and commerce.
Beer Sheva – this city dates its origins back to the biblical period. With 200,000 residents, is it now the capital of the Negev desert, a city of industry, commerce, culture, education and academia.

System of Government in Israel
Israel is a Parliamentary Democracy, and is the only democracy in the Middle East based on a separation of power. The Head of State is the President, whose role is primarily formal and representational. The legislative body, Israel’s parliament, is the Knesset, with 120 Knesset members who represent political parties and participate in various committees. Elections are held every 4 years. The government is responsible for both domestic administration of the country and foreign policy, and is elected by the Knesset.

Israel’s Economy
GDP: $105 billion
Income per capita: $17,000
Exports: $38.7 billion
Imports: $43.5 billion

Most of Israel’s industry is based on technology, hi-tech, electronics, medicine, advanced agriculture, telecommunications, food, chemicals and energy.
Israel’s agriculture developed in the face of a variety of problems, such as: a shortage of water and harsh climatic conditions. It is currently considered the most agriculturally advanced country of its kind, especially in the fields of engineering, development and water.

Tourism
Israel offers a very wide variety of tourist sites and attractions, including sites holy to Christians, Muslims and Jews, some of which are considered the holiest sites; archeological sites that are 5,000 years old, as well as marine archeology. Israel offers a diversity of landscape and sites, from snow covered mountains in the north, to desert landscapes in the Arava, Negev and Dead Sea in the south.
Leisure activities include sailing, scuba diving, sports, culture, arts. The landscape and nature reserves are suitable for walking, jeep tours and offer a wide variety of accommodations on a range of levels.
The State of Israel offers all its visitors friendly hospitality and greets them with a warm welcome.