Israel is a land and a people. The
history of the Jewish people, and
its roots in the Land of Israel, spans
some 35 centuries. In this land, its
cultural, national and religious
identity was formed; here, its physical
presence has been maintained unbroken
throughout the centuries, even after the
majority was forced into exile. With the
establishment of the State of Israel in
1948, Jewish independence, lost 2,000
years earlier, was renewed.
Miss Sahara Ozer, will attend to you
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In case of emergency, call Gabriel Hanner
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cellular: +972 50 552 33 33
Israel
Facts
Geography
of Israel
Israel is located in the Middle East, along the
eastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon, Syria,
Jordan and Egypt. It lies at the junction of three continents: Europe, Asia
and Africa.
Long and narrow in shape, the country is about 290
miles (470 km.) in length and 85 miles (135 km.) in width at its widest
point.
Although small in size, Israel encompasses the
varied
topographical features of an entire continent, ranging from forested
highlands and fertile green valleys to mountainous deserts, and from the
coastal plain to the semitropical Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, the lowest
point on earth. Approximately half of the country’s land area is semi-arid.
Israel's climate is characterized by much sunshine, with a rainy season
from November to April. Total annual precipitation ranges from 20-30 inches
(50-70 cm.) in the north to about an inch (2.5 cm.) in the far south.
Regional climatic conditions vary considerably: hot, humid summers and mild,
wet winters on the coastal plain; dry, warm summers and moderately cold
winters, with rain and occasional light snow, in the hill regions; hot, dry
summers and pleasant winters in the Jordan Valley; and semi-arid conditions,
with warm to hot days and cool nights, in the south.
Population in Israel
Israel is a country of immigrants. Since its
inception in 1948, Israel's population has grown five-fold. Its 6.5 million
inhabitants comprise a
mosaic of people with varied ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, religions,
cultures and traditions. Today jews comprise some 77.2% of the country’s
population, while the country’s non-Jewish citizens, mostly Arabs, number
about 22.8%.
Israel Lifestyle
About 91% of Israel’s inhabitants live in some 200
urban centers, some of which are located on ancient historical sites.
About 5% are members of unique
rural cooperative settlements - the kibbutz and the moshav.
Israel Main Cities
Jerusalem, Israel's capital (population 675,000), has stood at the
center of the Jewish people’s national and spiritual life since King
David made it the capital of his kingdom some 3000 years ago. Today it is a
flourishing, vibrant metropolis, the seat of the government and Israel’s
largest city.
Tel Aviv-Yafo
(population 360,000), which was founded in 1909 as the first Jewish city in
modern times, is today the center of the country’s industrial, commercial,
financial and cultural life. Situated about 20kms. From Ben Gurion International Airport. Well
known Tel-Aviv University.
Haifa
(population 272,000), a known coastal town since ancient times, is a major
Mediter-ranean port and the industrial and commercial center of northern
Israel.
Be’er Sheva
(population 180,000), named in the Bible as an encampment of the patriarchs,
is today the largest urban center in the south. It provides administrative,
economic, health, education and cultural services for the entire southern
region.
Israel
SystemofGovernment
Israel is a
parliamentary democracy with legislative, executive and judicial
branches. The head of the state is the
president, whose duties are mostly ceremonial and formal; the office
symbolizes the unity and sovereignty of the state. The
Knesset, Israel’s legislative authority, is a 120-member unicameral
parliament which operates in plenary session and through
15 standing committees. Its members are elected every four years in
universal nationwide
elections. The
Government (cabinet of ministers) is charged with administering internal
and foreign affairs. It is headed by a prime minister and is collectively
responsible to the Knesset.
Israel
EducationandScience
School attendance is mandatory from age five, and free through age 18.
Almost all three- and four-year-olds attend some kind of
preschool program.
Israel’s
institutions of higher education include universities, offering a wide
range of subjects in science and humanities, and serving as research
instututions of worldwide repute, colleges offering academic courses and
vocational schools. The country’s high level of
scientific research and development and the application of R&D
compensate for the country’s lack of natural resources.
Health in Israel
The
National Health Insurance Law, in effect from January 1995, provides for
a standardized basket of
medical services, including hospitalization, for all residents of
Israel. All medical services continue to be supplied by the country’s four
health care organizations.
Life expectancy is 81.2 years for women and 77.3
years for men; the infant mortality rate is 5.3 per 1,000 live births. The
ratio of physicians to population and the number of specialists compare
favorably with those in most developed countries.
Israel Social Welfare
The
social service system is based on legislation which provides for
workers’ protection and a broad range of national and community services,
including care of the elderly, assistance for single parents, programs for
children and youth, adoption agencies, as well as prevention and treatment
of alcoholism and drug abuse.
The
National
Insurance Institute provides all permanent residents (including
non-citizens) with a broad range of benefits, including unemployment
insurance, old-age pensions, survivors’ benefits, maternity grants and
allowances, child allowances, income support payments and more.
Israel Economy
$103.7 billion
($15,800 per capita)
GDP
$38.4 billion
Exports, goods and services
$47.5 billion
Imports, goods and services
Israel Industry
Israel's industry concentrates on
manufacturing products with a high added value that
are primarily based on technological innovation.
These include medical electronics, agrotechnology,
telecommunications, computer hardware and software,
solar energy, food processing and fine chemicals.
Israel Agriculture
Israel's agricultural successes are the
result of a long struggle against harsh, adverse
conditions and of making maximum use of scarce water
and arable land. Today, agriculture represents some
1.5% of GNP and 2.2% of exports. Israel produces 93%
of its own food requirements, supplemented by
imports of grain, oil seeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and
sugar, which are more than offset by the wide range
of agricultural products for export.
Israel Foreign Trade
Trade is conducted with countries on
six continents. Some 42% of imports and 32% of
exports are with Europe, boosted by Israel’s free
trade agreement with the EU (concluded in 1975). A
similar agreement was signed with the United States
(1985), whose trade with Israel accounts for 23% of
Israel’s imports and 32% of its exports.
Israel Culture
Thousands of years of history, the
ingathering of the Jews from over 70 countries, a
society of multi-ethnic communities living side by
side, and an unending flow of international input
via satellite and cable have contributed to the
development of an Israeli culture which reflects
worldwide elements while striving for an identity of
its own. Cultural expression through the arts is as
varied as the people themselves, with literature,
theater, concerts, radio and television programming,
entertainment, museums and galleries for every
interest and taste.
Languages in Israel
The official languages of the country
are Hebrew and Arabic, but in the country’s streets
many other languages can be heard. Hebrew, the
language of the Bible, long restricted to liturgy
and literature, was revived a century ago,
accompanying the renewal of Jewish life in the Land.
English is the principal international language and
is taught in nearly every school. Due to the
diversity of the immigrant population, one can find
residents who are fluent in nearly any foreign
language.
