Overview

  • Full Country Name: State of Israel
  • Local Name: Medinat Israel
  • Capital: Jerusalem (Note: the United Nations and most countries (including the UK) do not recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and most countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv)
  • Language: Hebrew, Arabic (both official), English.
  • Currency: New Israeli shekel (ILS) = 100 agorots.
  • People: Jewish (80%), Muslim (15%), Christians (1.7%) and Druze (1.3%), Arab.
  • Life Expectancy: Male: 77.21, Female: 81.55.
  • Religion: Jewish (mainly), Sunni Muslim, Christian.
  • Size (sq km): 20,770 / 22,145 (including Golan Heights) (151st)
  • Population: 7,150,000 (98th)
  • Population Density per sq km: 324 (34th)
  • Country Dialling Code: 972
  • Internet Country Code: .il
  • Time Zone: GMT +2 (+3 from March to September)
  • Voltage Guide: 220 AC, 50 Hz.
  • Finance: All major credit cards and traveller's cheques accepted.
  • Business Hours: 0830-1200,1600-1800 Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday, 0830-1230 Wednesday, 0830-1200 Friday.
  • GDP: US$103 billion
  • GDP per Capita: US$16,291
  • Annual Growth: 5%
  • Inflation: -2%
  • Major Industries: Metal, defence, machinery, technology, diamonds, chemicals.
  • Major Trading Partners: USA, UK, Belgium/Luxembourg, Germany.
  • Personal Safety: Mainly safe, but significant unrest in some areas due to civil conflict. Seek latest information at time of visit.
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