Key Facts about Israel

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Know These Key Facts On Israel

Location

Israel is situated in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon.

Land Area

Israel is slightly smaller than New Jersey, that stretches over a total area of 20,770 sq km, which 20,330 sq km is land and 440 sq km is water. Israel has a total coastline area of 273 km.

Climate

Israel has a temperate climate with hot and dry conditions in the southern and eastern desert areas.

Natural Resources and Hazards

Israel's main natural recourses are timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays and sand. Their main natural hazards are sandstorms that may occur during spring and summer, droughts and periodic earthquakes.

Population and Employment

Israel has a total population of 6,276,883 inhabitants, that has an average life expectancy at birth of 79.32 years. It has a total labour force of 2.68 million (2004 est.) people whom are mostly occupied in agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing, construction, commerce, transport, storage, and communications, finance and business, personal and other services and public services. Israel has a fairly high unemployment rate of 10.7%.

Religion

76.5% of Israel's population are Jewish, 15.9% are Muslims, 1.7% are Arab Christians, 0.4% are other Christians, 1.6% are Druze, and 3.9% are unspecified.

Flag

Israel's flag consists of white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag.

Agricultural Products and Main Industries

Israel's main recognized agricultural products are citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry and dairy products. Their main industries are high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles and footwear.

Capital

Jerusalem

Time Zone

GMT plus 2 and 3 (daylight saving time) hours