Israel Information from CIA World Fact Book 2010

Geography Video (3 min)

Israel Map

Israel Flag white with a blue six-pointed linear star known as the Shield of David; the basic design resembles a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes

Dome of the Rock Muslim Inside Church of the Sepulcher Christian

Jerusalem – Old City Jerusalem at night from Mount of Olives

Road from Jericho to Jerusalem

Type of government – Parliamentary Democracy Language – Hebrew (official) – Arabic used officially for Arab minority – English most commonly used foreign language

Religion – Jewish 76% – Muslim 17% – Christian 2% – Other 5% Ethnic groups – Jewish 77% – Non-Jewish 23%

Economy – Technologically advanced market economy Currency – Shekel

Geography – Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea Climate – Temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Terrain – Negev desert in the south – Low coastal plain – Central mountains – Jordan Rift Valley – Sandstorms may occur during spring and summer – Droughts – Periodic earthquakes

Capital city – Jerusalem Large Cities – Tel Aviv – Haifa

Environmental Issues – limited arable land and natural fresh water – Desertification – air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions – groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste – chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Natural resources – timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Agricultural Products – citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products

Major Industry – high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics) – wood and paper products – potash and phosphates – chemical products – diamond cutting – textiles

History Evidence of a Jewish presence in the region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea dates back over 3,000 years, to the formation of the religion and people. The name "Jews" derives from their origin in the Kingdom of Judah, an area from which the Jewish people have been repeatedly dispersed and repopulated over their history.

History In the Book of Genesis, Abraham's grandson is Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel and has 12 sons who father 12 tribes known as the "children of Israel". The modern State of Israel was established on May 14, 1948 after nearly two thousand years of Jewish dispersal, and after 55 years of efforts to create a Jewish homeland through Zionism. The 62 years since Israeli independence have been marked by conflict with neighboring Arab states and the Palestinian-Arabs.

Literacy rate – Total Population: 97.1% – Male: 98.5% – Female: 95.9% Life expectancy – Total Population: 81 years – Male: 79 years – Female: 83 years

GDP – $205.8 billion – $31,400 per capita – 24% of population below poverty level Population – 7,233,701