ISRAEL

LOCATION
Israel is situated in the Middle East. To the west, Israel is bordered by
the Mediterranean Sea. To the east, the country is bordered by Jordan.
Israel is also bordered by Lebanon and Syria to the north and Egypt to the
south. Israel is slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey.
 
CLIMATE
This country is primarily hot and dry in the desert areas to the east and
south.
 
POPULATION
As of July 2000, the population of Israel was estimated at 5,842,454. This
figure includes Israeli settlers in the West Bank, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip,
and East Jerusalem. The composition of its population is as follows: 80.1%
Jewish (born in Europe, America, Israel, Africa, and Asia) and 19.9%
non-Jewish (mostly Arab). There are 2,937,174 females and 2,905,280 males.
 
RELIGION
Of the total population of Israel, 80.1% are Jewish, 14.6% are Muslim, 2.1%
are Christian, and 3.2% have no specific religious affiliation.
 
GENERAL
The official name of the country is the State of Israel. Jerusalem serves
as the capital. The country has a president who acts as the Chief of State.
The country also has a Prime Minister who serves as the head of government.
The Prime Minister is given the responsibility to select the cabinet.
 
NATURAL RESOURCES
Israel’s natural resources include copper, phosphates, bromide, potash, clay,
sand, sulpher, asphalt, and manganese.
The country’s agricultural products are primarily citrus, vegetables, cotton,
beef, poultry, and dairy products.
 
TRANSPORTATION
Israel has only 610 kilometers of railway.
The country has 15,965 kilometers of paved highway. Fifty-six kilometers of
the paved highway are classified as expressways. Israel has no unpaved
highways.
Israel has six ports and harbors.
Israel has 33 airports with paved runways and 25 airports with unpaved
runways.
Israel also has two heliports
 
 
CURRENCY
The current unit of currency in Israel is the shekel. One shekel equals 100
new agorot.
 
Facts and figures courtesy of CIA World Fact Book.
 
ADDITIONAL LINKS
To learn more about Israel and its history, visit
www.israeliculture.about.com/culture/israeliculture. Hear the national
anthem of Israel at www.algonet.se/~hatikva/anthem.html.