Israel (יִשְרָאֵל, ; Arabic: إسرائيل, ) officially the State of Israel (Hebrew: , ; Arabic: دَوْلَةْ إِسْرَائِيل, ), is a country in Western Asia located on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, and Egypt on the southwest, and contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area. The West Bank and Gaza Strip are also adjacent. With a population of about 7.28 million, the majority of whom are Jews, Israel is the world's only Jewish state. It is also home to other ethnic groups, including most numerously Arab citizens of Israel, as well as many religious groups including Muslims, Christians, Druze, Samaritans and others. Israel is a representative democracy with a parliamentary system and universal suffrage. The Prime Minister serves as head of government and the Knesset serves as Israel's legislative body. In terms of nominal gross domestic product, the nation's economy is estimated as being the 44th-largest in the world. Israel ranks high among Middle Eastern countries on the bases of human development, freedom of the press, and economic competitiveness. Jerusalem is the country's capital, seat of government, and largest city, while Israel's main financial center is Tel Aviv. (via Wikipedia)
Capital:
Jerusalem
Language:
Hebrew, Arabic
As Of:
Jan 1, 2007
Largest City:
Jerusalem
Population Density (sq mi):
839
Time Zone:
IST
Area:
8,019 / 8,522
Ethnic groups:
76% Jewish, 19% Arab, 5% minority groups
Government type:
Parliamentary democracy
As of:
Jan 1, 2007
Anthem:
Hatikvah
ccTLD:
.il
Currency (code):
ILS
Demonym:
Israeli
Name:
Israel
Currency:
Israeli new sheqel ()
Country Calling Code:
972
Total Population:
7,282,000
As of:
Jan 1, 2005
HDI Rank:
23rd
GDP (per capita PPP):
$188.936 billion
HDI:
0.932
Gini:
38.6
Census Date:
Jan 1, 1995
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