Israel Facts

Here are some facts about Israel:

Population: About 7 million

Size: Slightly smaller than New Jersey.

Major cities:  Tel Aviv-Yafo 3.219 million; Haifa 1.027 million; JERUSALEM (capital) 768,000 (2009)

Languages Spoken: Hebrew is the official language, with Arabic used officially for the Arab minority. English is the most commonly used foreign language.

Type of Government: Government Israel is a Parliamentary Democracy

Military Service:  Israel has compulsory military service, which requires that all Jews (and Druze, a minority Islamic sect) perform military service at age 18. Men are required to serve 36 months; women 21. Members of other religions are eligible for voluntary service.

Religion: Jewish, 76.5 percent; Muslim, 15.9 percent; Arab Christians, 1.7 percent; other Christian, 0.4 percent; Druze, 1.6 percent; unspecified, 3.9 percent

Environment and Resources: Limited arable land and natural fresh-water resources pose serious constraints and are often the flashpoint for conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. Desertification and air and groundwater pollution are also problems.

Top Industries: High-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages and tobacco, caustic soda.

Currency: New Israeli Shekel – about 3.5 to the U.S. dollar.

hiking mount monadnock

We hiked Mount Monadnock in Jaffry, NH, on June 18, 2011.

Ross, Gary, Becca, and Stel on top of Mount Monadnock

View of Mount Monadnock summit

hiking mount israel

Here are some photos of my hike up Mt. Israel in Center Sandwich, NH.

                                         Marty, Shelly, Gary, and I on top of Mt. Israel.

                                         Overlooking Squam Lake