Medinat Yisra'el

Location Middle East
Bordered By Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt

Total Area 7,992 sq mi (20,700 sq km)
Greatest Distance E-W 81 mi (130 km)
Greatest Distance N-S 256 mi (412 km)
Coastline 143 mi (230 km)
Highest Point Har Meron; 3,963 ft (1,208 m)
Lowest Point Dead Sea; -1,299 (-396 m)
Natural Resources timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand

Population (July 2013 est) 7,707,042
Nationality Israeli
Largest Cities Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Haifa
Ethnic Groups Jewish, Arab
Religions Jewish, Muslim, Arab Christian, Druze
Languages Hebrew (official)

Capital Jerusalem
Form of Government parliamentary democracy
Present Constitution Adopted no formal constitution
Chief of State President Reuven Rivlin (since July 27, 2014)
Head of Government Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (since March 19, 2009)
Cabinet Cabinet selected by Prime Minister
Legislature unicameral Knesset
Judiciary Supreme Court
Local Administration 6 districts

Currency Israeli Shekel
Per Capita Income $33,100
Industries high-technology projects, wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear
Agricultural Products citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products
Export Commodities machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
Import Commodities raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods

Independence Achieved May 14, 1948
From League of Nations mandate under British administration
National Holiday Independence Day, May 14
Flag white with a blue hexagram known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag

SEE ALSO
Lebanon
Jordan
Egypt
Benjamin Netanyahu

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This page was last updated on April 26, 2017.