Capital: Tel Aviv
Largest cities: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
State language: Hebrew, Arabic
Currency: Shekel (₪)
Website: .il
Calling code: 972
Time zone: UTC+2
Geography
Israel (Hebrew- ישראל), officially the State of Israel (Hebrew- מדינת ישראל, Arabic- دولة اسرائيل), is a country in the Near East, in the south-east of the Mediterranean Sea. In the south it borders with Lebanon, in the east- with Syria and Jordan, and with Egypt in the south-west. Israel is located in the south-west of Asia; its shores are being washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the west, by Red Sea in the south and the river Jordan outlines the border in the east. Despite of the small territory, Israel stands out by its geographical diversity.
Flag
Population
According to the data of the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, declared in September, 2013, the population of Israel was 8.08 million people. 6,067mln (75,4%) are Jewish, 1,658mln (20,6%) are Arabs (including Arab-Muslims, Palestinians, Bedouins, Arab-Christians), 320,000 (4,3%) are Druze, Circassians, Russians, Armenians and other national minorities.
By the population density (330 people per km2) Israel takes the 24th place in the world. According to the data of the National Insurance Institute, 20% of the whole population lives poor. It’s to be mentioned that in Israel the concept of “living poor” includes having your own transportation, realty and etc.
Administrative division
The State of Israel is divided into 6 administrative regions called “mehozot” (Hebrew- מחוזות). Nowadays there are 6 mehozotes in Israel:
- Central
- Haifa
- Northern
- Jerusalem
- Southern
- Tel Aviv
The regions of Israel are divided into sub-regions called “nafot” (Hebrew- נפות). Nafotes are divided into 15 districts. For statistical purposes, the country is divided into 3 metropolitans: Tel Aviv, Gush Dan, Haifa and Beer Sheva. However, the biggest city, both in population and territory, is Jerusalem with the population of 732,100 people and territory of 126km2. Next come Tel Aviv, Haifa and Rishon Le Zion accordingly with the population of 384,600, 267,000, and 222,300.
