Sunday, June 26, 2011

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.
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