Israel in Brief Israel in Brief provides capsule introductions to Israel
by collection of key facts and figures.
Facts:
• The Jewish republic established in 1948 from the
British-controlled Palestine
• Area: 20,850 km² Between Jordan Valley and the
Mediterranean Sea
• Forests: 5%
• Desert: 61%
• Coast strip: 190 km
• Capital: Jerusalem
• Population: 7.912 million inhabitants(2012)
• Languages: Hebrew, Arabic, English
• Form of government: Parliamentary democracy
• Parliament: Knesset with 120 members in one chamber
• Religion: 79% Jews, 17.3% Muslims, 1.6% Druze and
2.1% Christians
• Average life expectancy: Men 77.3 years and
Women 81.2 years
• Most important export goods: Technology and agriculture
• Currency: New Israel shekel (ILS) ( ¤ )
• Time zone: GMT+2
• Internet TLD: IL
• Calling code: +972
• Anthem: Hatikvah (The Hope)