Israel
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Jerusalem
- Population
- 9,402,617 (2024 est.)
- Area
- 21,937 sq km
- Government
- parliamentary democracy
- Religions
- Jewish 73.5%, Muslim 18.1%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.9% (2022 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- Jewish 73.5% (of which Israel-born 79.7%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 14.3%, Africa-born 3.9%, Asia-born 2.1%), Arab 21.1%, other 5.4% (2022 est.)
- Currency
- new Israeli shekels (ILS)
- Life Expectancy
- 83.1 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .il
- Climate
- temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
- Terrain
- Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley
- Natural Resources
- timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand
- Major Exports
- integrated circuits, diamonds, broadcasting equipment, medical instruments, refined petroleum (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
Israel has become a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its prosperous high-tech sector, large defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world. The State of Israel was established in 1948.