Israel is situated in the Middle East.

Surface: 20.770 km²
Population: 5.470.000 inhabitants
Density of population: 232 inhabitants/km²
Capital: Jerusalem
Official language: Hebraic (66%), Arabian (15%)
Official currency: shekel
Imported products: car pieces, cars, diamonds, petroleum, chemical products, food, iron, steel
Exported products: diamonds, citric, textiles, food, drinks
Brut Intern Product: 90.000 million $
State type: republic

After the six day War in 1967 the next regions became under Israelite administration: Gaza Region, Sinai Semi-isle, The West Bank of Jordan and Golan Plateau. Israel retreated from Sinai Semi-isle in 1982.

Geographical Characteristics :
The plain of the Mediterranean Sea coast is divided into two by Carmel Mountain. The mount ains lay in Galilee, Samaria and Judea. Between Galilee and Samaria lays the rich Emeq Yizre'el Valley. The medium height of the mountains is 850 m and in the Meron Peak is 1.208 m. the Dead Sea has 1.018 km² and a depth of 399 m.

Climate :
The north of the country has gentle and moist winters and hot, long summers. In the south the Negev Desert occupies 60% of the surface. Because Israel is very sunny the water used in houses is wormed up with solar energy. The medium temperature in Eilat is 16 Celsius degrees in January and 32 Celsius degrees in July, the amount of annual rainfall is 3 cm. The numbers for Haifa are: 14 Celsius degrees, 28 Celsius degrees and 65 cm. for Jerusalem the numbers are: 9 Celsius degrees, 24 Celsius degrees and 52 cm.

Agriculture :
Only 5% of the people work in the agriculture. 20% of the country's surface is cultivated and other 40% is grassland. 5% is covered with forests. Israel is independent in fruits, vegetables, cotton, eggs and milk. The citric fruits are the most important products for export, but they also cultivate bananas, avocado, olives, watermelons and other fruits. They use special cultures for flowers, tomatoes and strawberries. The amount of fish is 12.500 tones annually.

Irrigation :
Israel bases on irrigation and the main sources of water are: Galilee Sea and Jordan River. Eliat and Ashdod have desalt stations. 11% of the surface is irrigated.

Industry :
Industry has few products, but the quick development created a modern industrial nation. The main industries are: food, diamonds, textiles, chemical, electric products and military products. Israel launched the first satellite for communications in 1988 and is one of the few spatial nations of the world. Hard industries are in Haifa and Tel Aviv. Tourism is also an important industry.

Transport :
The country has 12.823 km of roads and 865 km of railways. The airway connects the main cities and the Ben Gurion Airport is international. The most important ports are: Ashdod, Haifa at the Mediterranean Sea and Eliat in Aqaba Golf.

Population and Cities :
82% of the population is Jewish. Many Jewish communities came from northern, center and eastern Europe, North Africa, Middle East and recently from ex URSS. There are over 600.000 Moslems and 100.000 Christians. Jerusalim is a pilgrimage place. Between 1949 and 1967 it was important in both Jordan and Israel, until was annexed to Israel.

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Tags: jerusalem, hebraic, arabian, shekel, republic

Date Added: 14 November '06

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